FAR-ULTRAVIOLET SPECTROSCOPY OF JUPITER

The spectrum of Jupiter from 2400 to 3000 Å was photographed at a resolution of 1 Å by a rocket-borne spectrograph on June 9, 1967. The derived reflectivity revealed a definite absence of any particularly strong features longward of 2650 Å. A slight reduction of reflectivity was registered at 2600 Å, but the match with a puzzling absorption feature seen in earlier, low-resolution observations was not very precise. This drop, whose existence may be subject to doubt, appeared to be caused by a broad, diffuse absorption rather than a profusion of narrow, strong features. Future improvements in rocket and satellite instrumentation should not only allow a more definitive search for faint absorptions, but may be able to detect weak Roman scattering of the solar spectrum in the atmosphere of Jupiter. © 1969.