Interior structure of Neptune: Comparison with Uranus

W. B. Hubbard; W. J. Nellis; A. C. Mitchell; N. C. Holmes; S. S. Limaye; P. C. McCandless

doi:10.1126/science.253.5020.648

Interior structure of Neptune: Comparison with Uranus

W. B. Hubbard, W. J. Nellis, A. C. Mitchell, N. C. Holmes, S. S. Limaye, P. C. McCandless

Lunar and Planetary Lab

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

151 Scopus citations

Abstract

Measurements of rotation rates and gravitational harmonics of Neptune made with the Voyager 2 spacecraft allow tighter constraints on models ofthe planet's interior. Shock measurements of material that may match the composition of Neptune, the so-called planetary "ice," have been carried out to pressures exceeding 200 gigapascals (2 megabars). Comparison of shock data with inferred pressure-density profiles for both Uranus and Neptune shows substantial similarity through most of the mass of both planets. Analysis of the effect of Neptune's strong differential rotation on its gravitational harmonics indicates that differential rotation involves only the outermost few percent of Neptune's mass.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	648-651
Number of pages	4
Journal	Science
Volume	253
Issue number	5020
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1126/science.253.5020.648
State	Published - 1991

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General

Access to Document

10.1126/science.253.5020.648

Cite this

@article{306515804ca3446eb0ad6315ffdddef3,

title = "Interior structure of Neptune: Comparison with Uranus",

abstract = "Measurements of rotation rates and gravitational harmonics of Neptune made with the Voyager 2 spacecraft allow tighter constraints on models ofthe planet's interior. Shock measurements of material that may match the composition of Neptune, the so-called planetary {"}ice,{"} have been carried out to pressures exceeding 200 gigapascals (2 megabars). Comparison of shock data with inferred pressure-density profiles for both Uranus and Neptune shows substantial similarity through most of the mass of both planets. Analysis of the effect of Neptune's strong differential rotation on its gravitational harmonics indicates that differential rotation involves only the outermost few percent of Neptune's mass.",

author = "Hubbard, {W. B.} and Nellis, {W. J.} and Mitchell, {A. C.} and Holmes, {N. C.} and Limaye, {S. S.} and McCandless, {P. C.}",

year = "1991",

doi = "10.1126/science.253.5020.648",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "253",

pages = "648--651",

journal = "Science",

issn = "0036-8075",

publisher = "American Association for the Advancement of Science",

number = "5020",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Interior structure of Neptune

T2 - Comparison with Uranus

AU - Hubbard, W. B.

AU - Nellis, W. J.

AU - Mitchell, A. C.

AU - Holmes, N. C.

AU - Limaye, S. S.

AU - McCandless, P. C.

PY - 1991

Y1 - 1991

N2 - Measurements of rotation rates and gravitational harmonics of Neptune made with the Voyager 2 spacecraft allow tighter constraints on models ofthe planet's interior. Shock measurements of material that may match the composition of Neptune, the so-called planetary "ice," have been carried out to pressures exceeding 200 gigapascals (2 megabars). Comparison of shock data with inferred pressure-density profiles for both Uranus and Neptune shows substantial similarity through most of the mass of both planets. Analysis of the effect of Neptune's strong differential rotation on its gravitational harmonics indicates that differential rotation involves only the outermost few percent of Neptune's mass.

AB - Measurements of rotation rates and gravitational harmonics of Neptune made with the Voyager 2 spacecraft allow tighter constraints on models ofthe planet's interior. Shock measurements of material that may match the composition of Neptune, the so-called planetary "ice," have been carried out to pressures exceeding 200 gigapascals (2 megabars). Comparison of shock data with inferred pressure-density profiles for both Uranus and Neptune shows substantial similarity through most of the mass of both planets. Analysis of the effect of Neptune's strong differential rotation on its gravitational harmonics indicates that differential rotation involves only the outermost few percent of Neptune's mass.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0026313311&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0026313311&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1126/science.253.5020.648

DO - 10.1126/science.253.5020.648

M3 - Article

C2 - 17772369

AN - SCOPUS:0026313311

SN - 0036-8075

VL - 253

SP - 648

EP - 651

JO - Science

JF - Science

IS - 5020

ER -

Interior structure of Neptune: Comparison with Uranus

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this