Abstract
Using the helium abundance measured by Galileo in the atmosphere of Jupiter and interior models reproducing the observed external gravitational field, we derive new constraints on the composition and structure of the planet. We conclude that, except for helium which must be more abundant in the metallic interior than in the molecular envelope, Jupiter could be homogeneous (no core) or could have a central dense core up to 12M⊕. The mass fraction of heavy elements is less than 7.5 times the solar value in the metallic envelope and between 1 and 7.2 times solar in the molecular envelope. The total amount of elements other than hydrogen and helium in the planet is between 11 and 45M⊕.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 534-539 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Icarus |
Volume | 130 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 1997 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science