Comparing Jupiter interior structure models to Juno gravity measurements and the role of a dilute core

The Juno spacecraft has measured Jupiter's low‐order, even gravitational moments, J2–J8, to an unprecedented precision, providing important constraints on the density profile and core mass of the planet. Here we report on a selection of interior models based on ab initio computer simulations of...

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Veröffentlicht in:Geophysical research letters Jg. 44; H. 10; S. 4649 - 4659
Hauptverfasser: Wahl, S. M., Hubbard, W. B., Militzer, B., Guillot, T., Miguel, Y., Movshovitz, N., Kaspi, Y., Helled, R., Reese, D., Galanti, E., Levin, S., Connerney, J. E., Bolton, S. J.
Format: Journal Article
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: Washington John Wiley & Sons, Inc 28.05.2017
American Geophysical Union
Schlagworte:
Astrophysics
Computer simulation
Density
Density profiles
Dilution
Earth
Enrichment
Equations of state
Evolution
Gravitation
Gravity
Heavy elements
Heavy metals
Helium
Hydrogen
interior structure
Juno
Jupiter
Jupiter probes
Mass
Mathematical models
Molecular structure
Physics
Planetary evolution
Planetary interiors
Planetary mass
Planets
Spacecraft
computer
equation of state
density
gravitation
mass
hydrogen
helium
formation
structure
ISSN:0094-8276, 1944-8007
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Zusammenfassung:The Juno spacecraft has measured Jupiter's low‐order, even gravitational moments, J2–J8, to an unprecedented precision, providing important constraints on the density profile and core mass of the planet. Here we report on a selection of interior models based on ab initio computer simulations of hydrogen‐helium mixtures. We demonstrate that a dilute core, expanded to a significant fraction of the planet's radius, is helpful in reconciling the calculated Jn with Juno's observations. Although model predictions are strongly affected by the chosen equation of state, the prediction of an enrichment of Z in the deep, metallic envelope over that in the shallow, molecular envelope holds. We estimate Jupiter's core to contain a 7–25 Earth mass of heavy elements. We discuss the current difficulties in reconciling measured Jn with the equations of state and with theory for formation and evolution of the planet. Plain Language Summary The Juno spacecraft has measured Jupiter's gravity to unprecedented precision. We present models of the planet's interior structure, which treat the hydrogen‐helium mixture using computer simulations of the material. We demonstrate that dilute core, with the heavy elements dissolved in hydrogen and expanded outward through a portion of the planet, may be helpful for explaining Juno's measurements.
Bibliographie:ObjectType-Article-1
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content type line 14
ISSN:0094-8276
1944-8007
DOI:10.1002/2017GL073160