Have we ever sent anything into the atmosphere of the gas giants?

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    Atmosphere Gas
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the nature of the gas giants' atmospheres, particularly regarding the existence of a solid ground and the implications of past exploratory missions, such as the Galileo spacecraft's probe into Jupiter's atmosphere. Participants explore theoretical and observational aspects of these planets, including the behavior of materials under extreme pressure and the composition of their interiors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether the absence of solid ground in gas giants is a fact or a conclusion drawn from mathematical models.
  • Others note that the Galileo spacecraft released a probe that was destroyed by pressure before reaching any potential "ground," raising questions about what constitutes a ground in such environments.
  • One participant defends the mathematical models used to understand gas giants, suggesting that they should not be dismissed as mere guesses.
  • Another participant describes a theoretical progression through the atmosphere of Jupiter, suggesting that hydrogen may liquefy and eventually form solid metallic hydrogen, potentially mixed with a rocky core.
  • There is mention of meteoritic debris impacting Jupiter, which may interact with the atmosphere and contribute to the composition of its lower layers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the existence of solid ground in gas giants and the validity of mathematical models used to infer their properties. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing perspectives presented.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding assumptions about the behavior of materials under extreme conditions, the definitions of "ground," and the unresolved nature of the probe's findings.

GKDAIR
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I've often heard there's no solid ground in the gas giants, but do we know this for a fact or are we just guessing based off the math?
 
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The Galileo spacecraft released a probe that parachuted into Jupiter. It was destroyed by pressure long before it hit the "ground", if a "ground" even exists.
 
Wait, what?
 
SteamKing said:
Wait, what?

Something you didn't understand?
 
My understanding is that as you progress downwards through the atmosphere, under the increasing pressure, the atmosphere (mainly Hydrogen), gradually tends to become liquefied and eventually take takes the form of a solid metallic hydrogen. Beneath that, and probably mixed with it to an extent is probably a rocky core. Jupiter is continually receiving hits from meteoritic debris, rocky and metallic. This presumably, plunges down, slowing in velocity as it encounters the increasing viscosity of the atmosphere, and ends up on the surface of, and mixed with the solid hydrogen.
 

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