Lawrence Bernstein (Spectral Sciences, Inc.), Alexander Berk (Spectral Sciences, Inc.), and Robert L. Sundberg (Spectral Sciences, Inc.)
Keywords: Astronomy, Astronomical Catalogs
Abstract:
MODTRAN(TM) is a widely used radiative-transfer (RT) code for computing the transmission, emission and scattering in the Earth’s atmosphere. However, the RT algorithms used in MODTRAN(TM) are generally applicable to any layered atmosphere, and, in principle, can be applied to any planetary atmosphere. The primary required modification required for this application is the development of the appropriate spectral properties data bases for the particular species associated with a given planetary atmosphere. We will show the application of MODTRAN(TM) to Neptune for which the primary atmospheric species are H2, CH4, C2H6, and C2H2. For the carbon-containing species, we have developed molecular band model parameters, and for H2 we have utilized continuum parameters computed by others. Additionally, we have developed a new cloud model to account for the CH4 clouds which form in the extremely cold upper atmosphere of Neptune. We will show calculations both for the solar reflective spectral region and the thermal IR emission region, ~0.4-20 microns. Comparisons will be made with archival data.
Date of Conference: September 12-15, 2007
Track: Astronomy and Astronomical Catalogs