8363(  2) - 12/18/98 16:48  - [  1]

    PROPOSAL FOR HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS   ST ScI Use Only
                                                       ID:      8363
                                                       Version: 2
                                                       Check-in Date: 18-Dec-1998
                                                                      16:46:35

1.Proposal Title:
An Archival Study of the Quiescent and Disturbed Atmosphere of Saturn
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2. Proposal For  3. Cycle
AR               8
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4. Investigators
                                                                                     Contact?
    PI: Nancy Chanover                    New Mexico State University
   CoI: Dr. Reta Beebe                    New Mexico State University                   N
   CoI: Dr. F. Michael Flasar             NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center              N

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5. Abstract

We propose to analyze five imaging data sets of Saturn taken between 1990 and 1995
in an effort to compare the quiescent and disturbed atmosphere of Saturn. During
this time interval, there were two large convective disturbances that appeared near
Saturn's equatorial region. The data taken during the 1995 ring-plane crossings of
Saturn provide a uniquely symmetric view of the northern and southern hemispheres in
a quiescent state, relatively unobscured by Saturn's ring system. We will first
model the vertical structure of the undisturbed atmosphere at latitudes known to
exhibit little or no temporal variation using a multiple scattering adding/doubling
radiative transfer code. We will use this general atmospheric model to predict what
the same latitudes would look like in the 1990 WF/PC Saturn storm data. This will
enable us to characterize the effect of deconvolution on the photometric integrity
of the data set. Once we determine that the photometry of the 1990 Saturn storm data
has been retained, we will use the doubling code to place limits on the vertical
extent of the 1990 and 1994 storms. Finally, we will utilize a buoyancy analysis of
the two systems to characterize the energy deposited into Saturn's atmosphere by
these convective disturbances. This will yield new information about the Saturnian
atmosphere that will prove valuable for the interpretation of the anticipated
Cassini data sets.
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  Data Distribution

  Paper Products:  NO
  Media:           ELECTRONIC
  Blocking Factor: 10
  Ship To:         PI_Address
  Ship Via:
  Email:
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                                                8363(  2) - 12/18/98 16:48  - [  2]

            Summary Form for Proposal  8363

  Item                         Used in this proposal
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  Proposal Category            AR
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