Interpreting Spectra for Jupiter's Rotational Speed

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Link
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Spectra
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on interpreting spectra to calculate Jupiter's rotational speed using Doppler shift analysis. The user is attempting to identify the wavelength change in the spectrum to apply the Doppler formula, which indicates a velocity of 12.66 km/s. The conversation highlights the expected slant of spectral lines due to the planet's atmospheric rotation and the challenges posed by low resolution in the spectrum. Key calculations reveal a Doppler shift of approximately 0.2 angstroms, but the user struggles to visually confirm this shift in their data.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Doppler shift principles
  • Familiarity with spectral analysis techniques
  • Knowledge of wavelength measurements in angstroms
  • Basic concepts of planetary atmospheres and light reflection
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the Doppler formula in astrophysics
  • Learn about spectral line identification and analysis
  • Research the effects of atmospheric rotation on spectral data
  • Explore advanced imaging techniques for higher resolution spectra
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students studying planetary atmospheres or spectral analysis who are interested in understanding the dynamics of Jupiter's rotation through spectral data interpretation.

Link
Messages
132
Reaction score
1
I got a spectra I need to interpret. It is used to calculate the rotational speed of Jupiter. However, altough the computer indicates the doppler shift, I don't see anything (see photograph). I wonder if anyone could enlighten my stalled mind? :smile:

I suppose when I figure out the wavelength change I just plug it into the doppler formula and get the velocity? (12.66 km/s from data table)
 

Attachments

  • spec.JPG
    spec.JPG
    20.5 KB · Views: 544
Last edited:
Astronomy news on Phys.org
What you're seeing is frequency in the horizontal direction and position along the slit in the vertical direction. I don't know which lines you're looking at, but based on the orientation of the slit, you'd expect them to be slanted by the rotation of the planet's atmosphere. That is, at one end of the slit you'll have a velocity away from your line of sight and, therefore, a positive Doppler shift. At the other end, the atmosphere would be moving towards you, so it would exhibit a negative shift. The net result would be a line slanted from one direction to the other. Unfortunately, the resolution of their spectrum is very small. At 12.66 km/s, you'd expect a shift of order:

\frac{\Delta \lambda}{\lambda}=v/c=4.22 \times 10^{-5}

If your spectrum is in the visible, then you're probably looking at wavelengths of order 5000 angstroms, so you should see a shift of about 0.2 angstroms. However, if the scale they list on the image is to be believed, then each pixel represents 1 angstrom and it would be hard to see the slant of the line. How many pixels are there per resolution element?
 
By looking at the picture, can you see directly that a doppler shift have taken place? I don't get why the reference line is unusually bright :confused:
 
Link said:
By looking at the picture, can you see directly that a doppler shift have taken place? I don't get why the reference line is unusually bright :confused:

No, I can't, that's what I was saying. Do you happen to know the identity of the central line? I can't comment without knowing that. By the way, http://www.astro.columbia.edu/~archung/research/CRdisk/Images/example.jpg an example of a line twisted by rotation (this time with the spectrum in the vertical direction).
 
Last edited by a moderator:
ok here is the full spectrum in the near IR range. It's some odd lines on the left hand side, do you happen to see any doppler shift?

If i understand correctly, this is sunlight reflected off Jupiter, which means that if there is ant shift, it should be relative to the solar spectrum? :confused:
 

Attachments

  • spec2.jpg
    spec2.jpg
    6 KB · Views: 531
Last edited:
Link said:
ok here is the full spectrum in the near IR range. It's some odd lines on the left hand side, do you happen to see any doppler shift?

No, but I still can't tell the wavelength range.


If i understand correctly, this is sunlight reflected off Jupiter, which means that if there is ant shift, it should be relative to the solar spectrum? :confused:

Some of the near-IR light would be emitted from Jupiter, but most of what you're seeing is reflected, that's right. Some of the absorption may also be from Jupiter's atmosphere.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
13K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
914