Zonal differences in the vertical structure of the cloud cover of Jupiter from the measurements of the methane absorption bands at 727 and 619 nm

Abstract

Data on the contours of absorption bands of methane at λ = 619 and 727 nm obtained for the latitude belts of Jupiter in 2013 have been analyzed. From the spectral values of reflectivity, the changes in the aerosol and gas components of the effective optical depth in dependence on the depth in the atmosphere were found. Zonal differences in the vertical structure of the cloud cover of Jupiter were revealed; they were quantitatively estimated, and the levels where the linear size or the nature of aerosol particles probably changed were determined. The signs indicating the presence of the aerosol layer deep in the atmosphere were found.