The Stratification of Jupiter's Troposphere at the Galileo Probe Entry Site

Abstract

Galileo Probe Atmospheric Structure Investigation (ASI) pressure and temperature sensor data acquired during the parachute descent phase have been used to derive the static stability structure of Jupiter's troposphere at pressure levels of 0.5–22 bars using three techniques. The first approach utilizes both the p-sensor and T-sensor data, but since the p-sensor's zero offset was significantly affected by the thermal anomaly in the probe, two other approaches using only T-sensor data have also been developed. By making the physically reasonable assumptions of equilibrium descent for the probe and hydrostatic balance of the atmosphere, an algorithm for deriving the background static stability from T-sensor measurements alone is developed. Regions with static stability 0.1–0.2 K km −1 are found at 0.5–1.7 bars, 3–8.5 bars, and 14–20 bars. Between these layers, regions of weaker static stability are present. Mean molecular weight gradients due to the vertical variation of water vapor abundance near the 11-bar pressure level appear to stabilize the atmosphere at this level. Oscillatory structures with vertical wavelength ∼15–30 km and amplitude ∼0.1–0.2 K are observed in the T-sensor data. For pressure <2 bars, these eddies are well above the noise level of the measurements and are consistent with the predictions of linear gravity wave theory for a wave with horizontal phase speed c x =160 m s −1 with respect to System III propagating through the static stability derived from the T-sensor data alone. They provide quantitative confirmation of the static stability derived from T-sensor data in the troposphere where p<2 bars. The observed static stability structure shows an inverse correlation with the regions of wind shear observed by the Doppler Wind Experiment: regions of highest shear in the horizontal wind appear to be associated with regions of lowest static stability. The particulate population detected by other experiments on the probe shows some correlation with the uppermost layer of static stability, suggesting enhanced solar energy deposition at these levels may play a role in producing the positive static stability.