A5084528568- Astro and Planetary Science
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Atmospheric Ozone and Climate
- Calibration and Measurement Techniques
- Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
- Spectroscopy and Laser Applications
- Laser-induced spectroscopy and plasma
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
- Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
- Computational Physics and Python Applications
- Adaptive optics and wavefront sensing
- Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
- Scientific Research and Discoveries
University of Leicester
2022-2025
The Medium-Resolution Spectrometer (MRS) provides one of the four operating modes Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on board James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). MRS is an integral field spectrometer, measuring spatial and spectral distributions light across 5-28 $\mu m$ wavelength range with a resolving power between 3700-1300. We present MRS's optical, spectral, spectro-photometric performance, as achieved in flight, we report effects that limit instrument's ultimate sensitivity. flight...
Abstract Jupiter’s upper atmosphere is composed of a neutral thermosphere and charged ionosphere. In the latter, dominant molecular ion H 3 + emits in near-infrared, allowing for remote exploration physical properties atmosphere. However, Jovian low-latitude ionosphere remains largely unexplored because emissions from this region are faint spectrally entangled with bright species, such as CH 4 . Here, we present James Webb Space Telescope observations Great Red Spot, showing unexpected...
Abstract Saturn's northern summertime hemisphere was mapped by JWST/Mid‐Infrared Instrument (4.9–27.9 µm) in November 2022, tracing the seasonal evolution of temperatures, aerosols, and chemical species 5 years since end Cassini mission. The spectral region between reflected sunlight thermal emission (5.1–6.8 is for first time, enabling retrievals phosphine, ammonia, water, alongside a system two aerosol layers (an upper tropospheric haze p < 0.3 bars, deeper cloud layer at 1–2 bars)....
Abstract The atmosphere of Jupiter has east–west zonal jets that alternate as a function latitude tracked by cloud motions at tropospheric levels. Above and below the cold tropopause ~100 mbar, equatorial is covered hazes levels where thermal infrared observations used to characterize dynamics stratosphere lose part their sensitivity. James Webb Space Telescope in July 2022 show these higher detail than ever before reveal presence an intense (140 m s −1 ) jet 100–200 mbar (70 faster winds...
Abstract Jupiter's South Polar Region (SPR) was observed by James Webb Space Telescope/Mid‐Infrared Instrument in December 2022. We used the Medium Resolution Spectrometer mode to provide new information about stratosphere. The southern auroral region visible and influenced atmosphere several ways: (a) In interior of oval, we retrieved peak temperatures at two distinct pressure levels near 0.01 1 mbar, with warmer respect non‐auroral regions 12 ± 2 K 37 4 respectively. A cold polar vortex is...
Abstract JWST measured the infrared spectra of Saturn's rings and several its small moons (Epimetheus, Pandora, Telesto, Pallene) as part Guaranteed Time Observation program 1247. The NIRSpec instrument obtained near‐infrared between 0.6 5.3 microns, which are all dominated by water‐ice absorption bands. shapes bands for these suggests that their surfaces contain variable mixes crystalline amorphous ice or amounts contaminants and/or sub‐micron grains. spectrum A ring has exceptionally high...
The James Webb Space Telescope observed the Jovian System during Cycle 1 through Early Release Science program 1373 (de Pater et al. 2022). NIRCAM instrument obtained high-spatial resolution observations of atmosphere in July 2022 5 different filters wavelengths from 1.6 to 4.1 microns, with three repeated after one planetary rotation asses winds and atmospheric dynamics. combination high sensitivity near infrared spatial provided images that reveal exciting new aspects atmosphere. results...
Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, serves as a crucial model for understanding giant exoplanets and their atmospheres. While its upper tropospheric chemical composition is well-known, nature structure of clouds remain elusive.&#160; To unveil them planetary scientists rely heavily on theoretical models remote sensing data, field.Traditional models, based equilibrium cloud condensation (ECC) theory, are highly sensitive to input parameters such pressure-temperature profile...
The impact of the Shoemaker-Levy 9 (SL9) comet on Jupiter in 1994 opened up a new field study focused exogenic species within Jupiter's atmosphere. Among these species, we find H_2O, CO, and HCN. It is thought that coexist at same pressure level (∼ 3 mbar 2022) interaction between some them creates daughter molecules such as CO_2.However, understanding their complex meridional distributions still matter debate. We measured distribution HCN, CO_2 to understand chemistry dynamics leading...
Emissions from the upper-atmospheric molecular ion H3+ have been used to study global-scale interactions of Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus with their surrounding space environments for over 30 years, revealing processes shaping aurorae. However, despite repeated attempts, contrary models that predict it should be present, this has proven elusive at Neptune. Here, using observations James Webb Space Telescope, we detect Neptune, as well distinct infrared southern auroral emissions. The average...
The Medium-Resolution Spectrometer (MRS) provides one of the four operating modes Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on board James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). MRS is an integral field spectrometer, measuring spatial and spectral distributions light across 5-28 $μm$ wavelength range with a resolving power between 3700-1300. We present MRS's optical, spectral, spectro-photometric performance, as achieved in flight, we report effects that limit instrument's ultimate sensitivity. flight...
Abstract Using images at multiple mid‐infrared wavelengths, acquired in 2018 May using the Very Large Telescope Imager and Spectrometer (VISIR) instrument on ESO's (VLT), we study Jupiter's pole‐to‐pole thermal, chemical aerosol structure troposphere stratosphere. We confirm that pattern of cool cloudy anticyclonic zones warm cloud‐free cyclonic belts persists throughout mid‐latitudes, up to polar boundaries, evidence a strong correlation with vertical maximum windshear locations zonal jets....
Abstract We present custom JWST data reduction pipelines for NIRSpec/IFU and MIRI/MRS observations of solar system objects. The simplify the process reducing observations, include steps to significantly improve quality. Our processing routines a “desaturation” routine reduce effect saturation while still maintaining high signal-to-noise ratio, flat field correction code remove significant artifacts found in observations. also automatically generate series quick look plots animations...
Using images at multiple mid-infrared wavelengths, acquired in May 2018 using the VISIR instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT), we study Jupiter's pole-to-pole thermal, chemical and aerosol structure troposphere stratosphere. We confirm that pattern of cool cloudy anticyclonic zones warm cloud-free cyclonic belts persists throughout mid-latitudes, up to polar boundaries, evidence a strong correlation with vertical maximum windshear locations zonal jets. At high latitudes, reveal...
Jupiter&#8217;s Polar Regions host a very strong auroral activity. The Jovian auroras leave their imprint in the ultraviolet spectral region, but also Mid-Infrared, which suggests that they can influence thermal structure by heating up not only thermosphere, stratosphere particle precipitation. Some studies suggest activity influences atmospheric chemistry enhancing or depleting some stratospheric hydrocarbons produced photochemistry, as well other components such HCN. hypotheses link...
JWST measured the infrared spectra of Saturn's rings and several its small moons (Epimetheus, Pandora, Telesto Pallene) as part Guaranteed Time Observation program 1247. The NIRSpec instrument obtained near-infrared between 0.6 5.3 microns, which are all dominated by water-ice absorption bands. shapes bands for these suggests that their surfaces contain variable mixes crystalline amorphous ice or amounts contaminants and/or sub-micron grains. spectrum A ring has exceptionally high...
We present observations of Jupiter&#8217;s atmosphere using JWST&#8217;s NIRSpec (Jakobsen+2022, doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202142663) integral field unit (IFU) spectrometer acquired during the first year scientific operations.&#160; Near-infrared spectroscopic mapping provides a key tool for studying giant planet clouds, hazes, and gaseous composition from cloud-forming weather layer to radiatively-controlled lower stratosphere.&#160; Spectrometers that span 1-5 &#181;m range...
The Great Red Spot (GRS) is a remarkable feature of the Jovian atmosphere. Situated within South Tropical Zone, it dominates morphology southern hemisphere. Numerous spacecraft have visited Jupiter, but they either lacked mid-infrared instruments required to assess tropospheric structure and composition, or been fly-by missions with insufficient time probe such specific part Ground-based observatories are capable characterising this spectral region, often higher spatial resolutions than...
Context. The polar atmosphere of Jupiter is significantly affected by auroral activity, which can induce both thermal and chemical differences compared to the rest atmosphere. In particular, activity enhances production various hydrocarbons, including benzene. Benzene could be a potential precursor formation stratospheric hazes. Aims. We investigated spatial distribution benzene abundance across latitudes ranging from 50°S 81°S 17°S 25°S. Additionally, we examined origin aerosols their...
Jupiter's Great Red Spot (GRS) was mapped by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)/Mid-Infrared Instrument (4.9-27.9 micron) in July and August 2022. These observations took place alongside a suite of visual infrared from; Hubble, JWST/NIRCam, Very Large Telescope/VISIR amateur observers which provided both spatial temporal context across jovian disc. The stratospheric temperature structure retrieved using NEMESIS software revealed series hot-spots above GRS. could be consequence GRS-induced...
We present first results from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) observations of Uranus, which provide spatially resolved, infrared spectra planet&#8217;s atmosphere spanning 1.66 to 28.6 &#181;m. evaluate these unprecedented JWST NIRSpec (1.66&#8211;3.05 &#181;m, 2.87&#8211;5.14 &#181;m) and MIRI (4.9-28.6 &#956;m) in context existing questions concerning Uranus&#8217; stratospheric chemistry thermal structure [1].Owing its frigid atmospheric temperatures,...
&lt;p&gt;Jupiter's extended disc and infrared brightness create a challenging target for JWST's MIRI instrument to probe. Observations with the Medium Resolution Spectrometer (MRS) integral field units are expected saturate beyond 11 microns, fields of view MRS so small that we can sample only regional phenomena on Jovian disc. Also, rapid rotation will result in an observing geometry vary from exposure exposure. However, potential probe mid-IR spectral ranges 5-11 &amp;#181;m...
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Ground- and space-based remote sensing, from Voyager, to Galileo, Cassini Juno, has revealed the existence of circulation cells in troposphere Jupiter. These cells, which may be similar terrestrial Ferrel [1], show properties that vary significantly as a function depth, showing circulations opposing directions above below expected level water condensation cloud near 4-6 bar [2]. Moreover, location each vertical branch Ferrel-like are correlated Jupiter's...