Near-Infrared atmospheric modelling of Jupiter's South Equatorial Belt (SEB) observed with AAT/IRIS2

TL;DR

This study uses near-infrared spectra from AAT/IRIS2 to model Jupiter's South Equatorial Belt, improving understanding of its cloud and haze properties through radiative transfer modeling with updated spectral data.

Contribution

It presents the first detailed radiative transfer models of Jupiter's SEB using high-resolution spectra and the latest spectral line data for ammonia and methane.

Findings

Models fit observed spectra well with minor discrepancies.

Identified specific regions with absorption modeling challenges.

Provided refined cloud/haze parameters for Jupiter's SEB.

Abstract

Near-Infrared spectra of Jupiter's South Equatorial Belt (SEB) with AAT/IRIS2 in H and K bands at a resolving power of R~2400 have been obtained. By creating line-by-line radiative transfer models with the latest improved spectral line data for ammonia and methane (HITRAN2016), we derive best models of cloud/haze parameters in Jupiter's South Equatorial Belt. The modelled spectra fit the observations well except for small, isolated discrepancies in the trough region of H2-H2 collision-induced-absorption around 2.08 {\mu}m and the methane absorption level between 2.16 and 2.19 {\mu}m in K band and at the high pressure methane window between 1.596 to 1.618 {\mu}m in H band.