Ionospheric models of Saturn,Uranus, and Neptune |
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| Authors: | SK Atreya TM Donahue |
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| Institution: | Department of Physics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA |
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| Abstract: | Model ionospheres are calculated for Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Protons are the major ions above 150 km altitude measured from a reference level where the hydrogen density is 1 × 1016 molecules cm?3, while below 150 km quick conversion of protons to H3+ ions by a three-body association mechanism leads to a rapid removal of ionization in dissociative recombination of H3+. Electron density maxima are found at about 260 km for Saturn and Uranus and 200 km for Neptune. Present knowledge of the physical and chemical processes in the atmospheres of these planets suggests that their ionospheres probably will not be Jupiter-like. |
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