Copernicus measurement of the Jovian Lyman-alpha emission and its aeronomical significance

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (8) References (45) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Copernicus measurement of the Jovian Lyman-alpha emission and its aeronomical significance Atreya, S. K. ; Kerr, R. B. ; Upson, W. L., II ; Festou, M. C. ; Donahue, T. M. ; Barker, E. S. ; Cochran, W. D. ; Bertaux, J. L. Abstract It is pointed out that the intensity of the Lyman-alpha emission is a good indicator of the principal aeronomical processes on the major planets. The high-resolution ultraviolet spectrometer aboard the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory Copernicus was used in 1980 April and May to detect the Jovian Lyman-alpha emission by spectroscopically discriminating it from other Doppler shifted Lyman-alpha emissions such as those of the geocorona, and the interplanetary medium. Taking into consideration the reported emission data, it appears that an unusually large energy input due to the particle precipitation in the auroral region must have been responsible for the large observed Lyman-alpha intensity during the Voyager encounter. At most other times, the observed Jovian Lyman-alpha intensity can be explained, within the range of statistical uncertainty, by a model that takes into consideration the solar EUV flux, the solar Lyman-alpha flux, the high exospheric temperature, and the eddy diffusion coefficient without energy input from the auroral sources. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: November 1982 DOI: 10.1086/160431 Bibcode: 1982ApJ...262..377A Keywords: Aeronomy; Emission Spectra; Jupiter Atmosphere; Lyman Alpha Radiation; Ultraviolet Astronomy; Abundance; Astronomical Spectroscopy; Auroras; High Resolution; Hydrogen Atoms; Oao 3; Radiant Flux Density; Satellite-Borne Instruments; Saturn Atmosphere; Ultraviolet Spectra; Lunar and Planetary Exploration full text sources ADS | data products MAST (1)