Abstract

Search for Sulfur (H₂S) on Jupiter at Millimeter Wavelengths

We have observed Jupiter at two wavelengths near 1.4 mm in an attempt to detect gaseous hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) or place new upper limits on its abundance in Jupiter's atmosphere. Although we were not successful in detecting H₂S, we report the first brightness temperature observations of Jupiter at 1.4 mm with a spectral resolution of approximately 1 GHz using Mars as the calibration standard. We also discuss the methodology and results of a laboratory experiment in which we measured H₂S absorption at 1.4 mm in a simulated Jovian atmosphere (predominantly H₂ and He). We apply the results of our laboratory measurements to a radiative transfer model which we use to interpret our observations of Jupiter.

For full paper: IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, Vol. 40, NO. 6, June 1992.

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