The Atmospheres of the Outer Jovian Worlds Enormous thunderstorm on Saturn

Saturn North Pole(Hexagonal Storm)

The Atmospheres of the Outer Jovian Worlds Rotation of Uranus can be measured by watching storms.

The Atmospheres of the Outer Jovian Worlds Neptune has storm systems similar to those on Jupiter, but fewer. The large storm system at top has disappeared in recent years.

Jovian Interiors No direct information is available about Jupiter’s interior, but its main components, hydrogen and helium, are quite well understood. The central portion is thought to be a rocky core.

Jovian Interiors Uranus and Neptune both have substantial magnetic fields, but at a large angle to their rotation axes. The rectangle within each planet shows a bar magnet that would produce a similar field. Note that both Uranus’s and Neptune’s are significantly off center.

Jovian Interiors Jupiter’s magnetosphere: Intrinsic field strength is 20,000 times that of Earth. Magnetosphere can extend beyond the orbit of Saturn.

Jovian Interiors Magnetic fields of Uranus and Neptune must not be produced by dynamos, as the other planets’ fields are. Interior structure of Uranus and Neptune, compared to that of Jupiter and Saturn:

Jovian Interiors Aurorae are seen on Jupiter, and have the same cause as those on Earth – the interaction of solar wind particles with the magnetosphere.

Question 1 Both Jupiter and Saturn have liquid metallic hydrogen in their interiors. have rings. emit more energy than they absorb from the Sun. rotate very rapidly. All of the above. Both Jupiter and Saturn Answer: e

Question 1 Both Jupiter and Saturn have liquid metallic hydrogen in their interiors. have rings. emit more energy than they absorb from the Sun. rotate very rapidly. All of the above. Both Jupiter and Saturn

Question 2 Jovian planets share all of the following traits EXCEPT a) a low-density gaseous core. b) large magnetic fields. c) lots of hydrogen & helium gas. d) many moons. e) differential rotation. Jovian planets share all of the following traits EXCEPT Answer: a

Question 2 Jovian planets share all of the following traits EXCEPT a) a low-density gaseous core. b) large magnetic fields. c) lots of hydrogen & helium gas. d) many moons. e) differential rotation. Jovian planets share all of the following traits EXCEPT All of the jovian planets have dense, compact cores more massive than Earth, surrounded by liquid and gaseous layers.

Question 3 a) very strong magnetic fields. b) powerful gravity pulling on the poles. c) rapid rotation and a fluid interior. d) many moons that tidally distort their shapes. e) All of the above. Jupiter and the other jovian planets are noticeably oblate because they have Answer: c

Question 3 a) very strong magnetic fields. b) powerful gravity pulling on the poles. c) rapid rotation and a fluid interior. d) many moons that tidally distort their shapes. e) All of the above. Jupiter and the other jovian planets are noticeably oblate because they have All of the jovian planets are larger than Earth, all spin faster, all have lower density, and all show a flattened, “oblate” shape.

Question 4 a) convection of ammonia ice upward b) differential rotation and underlying zonal flow c) oblateness due to low density d) thermonuclear fusion e) Jupiter’s huge magnetosphere What is the probable source of the variations in Jupiter’s belts and zones? Answer: b

Question 4 a) convection of ammonia ice upward b) differential rotation and underlying zonal flow c) oblateness due to low density d) thermonuclear fusion e) Jupiter’s huge magnetosphere What is the probable source of the variations in Jupiter’s belts and zones?

Question 5 What is the source of Jupiter’s large magnetic field? a) charged particles moving in the atmosphere b) thermonuclear fusion in Jupiter’s core c) the gravitational attraction of Jupiter’s many large moons d) the Great Red Spot e) metallic hydrogen swirling in its interior Answer: e

Question 5 What is the source of Jupiter’s large magnetic field? a) charged particles moving in the atmosphere b) thermonuclear fusion in Jupiter’s core c) the gravitational attraction of Jupiter’s many large moons d) the Great Red Spot e) metallic hydrogen swirling in its interior

Question 8 Which of these is TRUE about the seasons on Uranus? a) Its strange tilt produces extreme seasonal variations. b) With its tilt of 29°, Uranus has four seasons similar to those on Earth. c) It never shows any weather in its bland clouds. d) It spins so fast all seasons are the same. Which of these is TRUE about the seasons on Uranus? Answer: a

Question 8 Which of these is TRUE about the seasons on Uranus? a) Its strange tilt produces extreme seasonal variations. b) With its tilt of 29°, Uranus has four seasons similar to those on Earth. c) It never shows any weather in its bland clouds. d) It spins so fast all seasons are the same. Which of these is TRUE about the seasons on Uranus?

Question 7 The two outer jovian planets appear bluish in color because a) gaseous ammonia in their atmospheres absorbs blue light. b) methane absorbs red light. c) cold hydrogen reflects blue light. d) dust in their atmospheres scatters blue light, similar to Earth. The two outer jovian planets appear bluish in color because Answer: b

Question 7 The two outer jovian planets appear bluish in color because a) gaseous ammonia in their atmospheres absorbs blue light. b) methane absorbs red light. c) cold hydrogen reflects blue light. d) dust in their atmospheres scatters blue light, similar to Earth. The two outer jovian planets appear bluish in color because

Question 9 The magnetic fields of which two planets are most unusual? a) Jupiter and Neptune b) Jupiter and Saturn c) Jupiter and Earth d) Saturn and Earth e) Uranus and Neptune The magnetic fields of which two planets are most unusual? Answer: e

Question 9 The magnetic fields of which two planets are most unusual? a) Jupiter and Neptune b) Jupiter and Saturn c) Jupiter and Earth d) Saturn and Earth e) Uranus and Neptune The magnetic fields of which two planets are most unusual? Both Uranus and Neptune have fields that are off-center, and very inclined to their rotation axes.