Astronomy 241: Foundations of Astrophysics I

13. Giant Planets

Two Types of Jovian Planets

“Gas Giants” “Water Worlds”

Internal Structure: Heat Sources

J. & S. put out lots of heat —
not due to radioactivity since
H and He isotopes are stable.
— Jupiter: left-over heat.
— Saturn: + He settling.
U. puts out very little heat —
— bottled up in interior?
N. puts out more heat —
— deeper convection.
Internal Structure: Magnetic Fields

J. & S. have strong fields which U. & N. have weaker fields

are well-aligned with rotation. which are highly mis-aligned.
— convection in metallic H! — local dynamo in “ocean”?
Internal Structure: Magnetic Fields
Outward Appearance

12 hours on Jupiter
Outward Appearance: Cloud Colors

NH3
Distance below cloud tops

50 km

NH4SH

H2O
100 km
Outward Appearance: Belts

Convection and rapid rotation

organize atmospheric motion.

Belts: sinking Zones: rising

gas exposes red gas forms white
NH4SH clouds; NH3 clouds;
circulates faster. circulates slower.
Outward Appearance: Circulation Patterns

Jupiter Unpeeled
Outward Appearance: Great Red Spot

Approaching Jupiter
Outward Appearance:
Appearance Great Red Spot

Jupiter's Great Red Spot Region

Outward Appearance: Saturn

Bands like Jupiter’s, but less dramatic since atmosphere

is deeper due to weaker gravity.
Saturn … Four Years On
Outward Appearance:
Uranus & Neptune

Their atmospheres are

deep, methane-rich, and
very cold.

• Cloud layers are too deep to be easily seen.

• Methane (CH4) absorbs red light, transmits blue.
— blue planets with subtle cloud features.
Outward Appearance: Uranus & Neptune

Great Dark Spot