Spatially resolved spectroscopic observations of Jupiter during the 1987 opposition

Spectroscopic observations in the spectral region λλ 6000-6600 » of major belts and zones of Jupiter have been carried out at Calar Alto Observatory (Spain) during the 1987 opposition, in support to the International Jupiter Watch Program. More than a hundred long-slit, medium resolution spectra have been taken at the coudé focus of the 1.52 m telescope. The longitudinal and latitudinal distribution of the equivalent widths of the methane and ammonia absorption bands at 6190 » and 6450 » have been investigated. Unlike the CH4-6190 » band, the longitudinal distribution in the NH3-6450 » band shows asymmetries in some of the Jovian regions analyzed, being the absorption greater at West than at East limbs. These results are interpreted in terms of inhomogeneous scattering models by the simultaneous variation of the NH3 cloud optical thickness and its altitude level. The north-south scans show little latitudinal dependence on absorption in both methane and ammonia bands, although some relationship could be established between the absorption and relative continuum reflectivity variation. © 1989 Kluwer Academic Publishers.