The vertical structure of Jupiter's equatorial and tropical regions

Abstract

The equatorial and tropical regions of Jupiter are presently treated in light of an inhomogeneous atmospheric model that encompasses both polarizing aerosols and methane gas, in keeping with Pioneer polarimetry and photometry data as well as the methane band data obtained by West (1979). The relative strengths of weak and strong methane bands are addressed by a two-cloud model with overlying stratospheric haze. For all the regions considered, the best fit for polarization measurements is a negatively polarizing ammonia cloud beneath a positively polarizing haze. Unlike the nearby features, the equatorial region and the Great Red Spot have a negative polarization at 80-deg phase angle, implying less gas above the clouds in these regions