MEAN JOVIAN TEMPERATURE STRUCTURE DERIVED FROM SPECTRAL OBSERVATIONS FROM 105 TO 630 CM-1

New far-infrared observations of the NH3 rotation-inversion manifolds in the spectrum of Jupiter have been inverted with the use oftthe detailed ammonia line opacity. A temperature of 160°K at a 1-bar pressure level and a temperature of 105°K for the minimum temperature of the inversion level at 0.15 bars have been derived for gaseous absorption due to NH3, H2, and He. The overall fit to the brightness temperature as a function of frequency σ is within ±1°K for 100 ≤ σ ≤ 400 cm-1 except for the centers of the NH3 rotation-inversion manifolds where for J ≥ 7 the fit is about 5°K too high. In the continuum for 400 ≤ σ ≤ 630 cm-1 the fit is within 2.5°K. Consideration of an ammonia ice haze, photodissociation of NH3 by uv radiation, NH3 abundance variation, different He/H2 ratios, and uncertainties in the data effect the temperatures at 1 bar and the temperature at the inversion layer by <7°K. The presently derived temperature at 1 bar of 160°K is consistent with Jovian interior models which can match the gravitational moment, J2. © 1979.