Earth-Based Observations of Jupiter: Millimeter to Meter Wavelengths,
Abstract
A comprehensive review of Earth-based observations of the continuous radio emission from Jupiter in the wavelength range from 1 millimeter to 5 meters is presented. After a brief historical summary of the observations and early theories for the origin of emission, the article proceeds to give an up-to-date account of the observations including total intensity, polarization, brightness distribution, and variability measurements. An extensive table of measurements of the total flux density is included. The article presents the principal arguments demonstrating that the observed radiation arises partly from synchrotron emission by relativistic electrons trapped in Jupiter's magnetic field and partly from a thermal process in its atmosphere. The interpretation of the thermal emission component in terms of atmospheric emission is illuminated by showing weighting functions and limb darkening curves at a number of frequencies for specific model. Potential sources of microwave opacities in the Jovian atmosphere are discussed and the radiative transfer equations given.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA023217
Entities
People
- G. L. Berge
- S. Gulkis
Organizations
- Owens Valley Radio Observatory