Planetary Science at Oxford Physics 2019
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Oxford Physics
Abstract
This proposal in planetary physics ranges from studying the atmospheres of the giant planets through to studying the reflectance and thermal properties of airless bodies such as asteroids, which are the primary ways in which these bodies can be studied. The programme outlines a coordinated effort to: 1) measure and understand the fluid circulations, cloud condensation and photochemistry in giant planet atmospheres, both within the Solar System and beyond; and 2) measure and interpret the spectra of airless planetary bodies to better understand their origins, composition and regolith structure. We have four complementary main projects.
Project 1: Recent results from the Juno mission have indicated that the complex, zonally banded atmospheric circulation of Jupiter (and probably Saturn) is neither very deep compared to the planetary radius, nor confined solely to a shallow 'weather layer'. This leaves unanswered a host of key questions concerning the dynamical origin of their meteorology and the resulting transport of heat and material tracers within these iconic and prototypical planetary bodies. In this project, we will test and evaluate possible dynamical mechanisms for energizing the principal features of the atmospheric circulations of Jupiter and Saturn, using a combination of innovative analyses of the observed wind and thermal structure from Cassini, Voyager, Juno and other spacecraft, and a state- of-the-art global numerical circulation model of the deep weather layers of Jupiter and Saturn.
Project 2: How do clouds form in the atmospheres of the Giant Planets? What are they made of and how are they initiated? In this project we will link near-infrared (near-IR) reflection measurements, thermal-IR emission observations and fundamental modelling to explore cloud formation in hydrogen-rich Solar System Giant Planets. This will ultimately benefit the understanding of clouds in both Solar System planets and exoplanets.
Project 3: Primitive asteroids (usually assumed to be C- and B-type asteroids) hold important clues to the formation and evolution of the Solar System. In this project, enabled by our roles as the UK's only Co-Investigator and Participating Scientist, we will use data from NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission to study primitive asteroid Bennu in preparation for sampling of its surface in 2020. As part of the mission's science team, and using our bespoke laboratory and numerical modelling capabilities, our work will place the returned sample into geologic context and also help determine Bennu's place in the wider context of the Solar System's asteroid populations.
Project 4: Remote sensing measurements in the thermal infrared (TIR) can be used to determine the composition and physical properties of an airless body through spectroscopy and temperature mapping. Surface temperature datasets are being acquired by missions including NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and OSIRIS-REx, and to interpret them correctly requires new laboratory measurements. This project addresses how thermal emission varies with observation angle, surface roughness and porosity by using and upgrading a unique experimental facility, the Oxford Space Environment Goniometer, to make targeted laboratory measurements to maximise the return from these new and future datasets.
Project 1: Recent results from the Juno mission have indicated that the complex, zonally banded atmospheric circulation of Jupiter (and probably Saturn) is neither very deep compared to the planetary radius, nor confined solely to a shallow 'weather layer'. This leaves unanswered a host of key questions concerning the dynamical origin of their meteorology and the resulting transport of heat and material tracers within these iconic and prototypical planetary bodies. In this project, we will test and evaluate possible dynamical mechanisms for energizing the principal features of the atmospheric circulations of Jupiter and Saturn, using a combination of innovative analyses of the observed wind and thermal structure from Cassini, Voyager, Juno and other spacecraft, and a state- of-the-art global numerical circulation model of the deep weather layers of Jupiter and Saturn.
Project 2: How do clouds form in the atmospheres of the Giant Planets? What are they made of and how are they initiated? In this project we will link near-infrared (near-IR) reflection measurements, thermal-IR emission observations and fundamental modelling to explore cloud formation in hydrogen-rich Solar System Giant Planets. This will ultimately benefit the understanding of clouds in both Solar System planets and exoplanets.
Project 3: Primitive asteroids (usually assumed to be C- and B-type asteroids) hold important clues to the formation and evolution of the Solar System. In this project, enabled by our roles as the UK's only Co-Investigator and Participating Scientist, we will use data from NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission to study primitive asteroid Bennu in preparation for sampling of its surface in 2020. As part of the mission's science team, and using our bespoke laboratory and numerical modelling capabilities, our work will place the returned sample into geologic context and also help determine Bennu's place in the wider context of the Solar System's asteroid populations.
Project 4: Remote sensing measurements in the thermal infrared (TIR) can be used to determine the composition and physical properties of an airless body through spectroscopy and temperature mapping. Surface temperature datasets are being acquired by missions including NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and OSIRIS-REx, and to interpret them correctly requires new laboratory measurements. This project addresses how thermal emission varies with observation angle, surface roughness and porosity by using and upgrading a unique experimental facility, the Oxford Space Environment Goniometer, to make targeted laboratory measurements to maximise the return from these new and future datasets.
Planned Impact
Our work is at the cutting edge of modern planetary science and will bring benefits to the UK through public engagement, scientific advancement and industrial collaboration as outlined below.
1. Public Engagement and Outreach: Our group has a very strong track record in public outreach and engagement including participating in events such as "Stargazing Oxford", "Pint of Science" and the Royal Society's Partnership scheme and Summer Exhibition. Typically, the largest public interest in space exploration occurs at crucial moments in a mission's lifetime, e.g. the extended science mission for ESA/NASA's Juno mission, launch of ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission in 2022, rendezvous and sampling for NASA/OSIRIS-REx mission (2019-2022) at asteroid Bennu, and the James Webb Space Telescope (2019 - ). We will work with local organisations to arrange outreach events to mark these key stages in the missions we are involved with. We will continue to contribute to the department's efforts in engaging diverse audiences through targeted programmes and community events and are working to reach schools in Oxford with the lowest progression rates to university. This work aligns with STFC's mission of "Improving our reach with diverse audiences".
2. Analysis Techniques: The techniques we are developing for better exploiting Solar System planet observations will have potential impacts in other areas also. We are a member of an academic partnership with the UK Met Office, which will allow advances we make in atmospheric circulation modelling to be made available to Met Office researchers enabling them to be applied in weather forecasting and climate change prediction. The advanced retrieval techniques we are developing with our radiative transfer and retrieval model, NEMESIS, have the potential to change quite radically the way we think of our place in the Universe since they can be applied not only to Solar System planets, but also to the emerging field of exoplanetary science.
3. Novel Spacecraft Instrumentation: Our space instrument development activity involves collaboration with several UK industrial partners, where we are using technologies we have developed for planetary science instrumentation to enable a new class of radiometers for small Earth observation spacecraft. The surfaces theme includes the development of a compact infrared spectrometer and we are currently in early discussions with Oxford's technology transfer office (Oxford University Innovations Ltd) regarding possible commercial uses for this instrument for future Earth observation and ground-based applications.
4. Laboratory Surface Characterisation: The proposed upgrade to our space environment spectrogoniometer will enable a much wider user group from both academia and industry to gain benefit from using this facility. Example applications include carrying out specialist spectroscopic characterisation of high emissivity coatings or spacecraft components at multiple emission and reflection angles.
5. Building Connections: The planetary group coordinates the Oxford Space Research Network that brings together groups within the University with space instrumentation and technology interests. Our Network is an important route for connecting and disseminating our work to the national and international space sector. Preparation for future missions (especially in ESA's Cosmic Vision programme) helps to inform and enable involvement by UK companies.
6. Citizen Science: For our work on giant planet atmospheres the increasing ability of amateur observers to provide background monitoring of events is a hugely exciting new area of planetary science. Amateur astronomers were responsible for the detection of several planetary storms in the last few years, which led to professional programmes and resulting publications. Such involvements also give rise to increased engagement by amateur observers and the wider public/media
1. Public Engagement and Outreach: Our group has a very strong track record in public outreach and engagement including participating in events such as "Stargazing Oxford", "Pint of Science" and the Royal Society's Partnership scheme and Summer Exhibition. Typically, the largest public interest in space exploration occurs at crucial moments in a mission's lifetime, e.g. the extended science mission for ESA/NASA's Juno mission, launch of ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission in 2022, rendezvous and sampling for NASA/OSIRIS-REx mission (2019-2022) at asteroid Bennu, and the James Webb Space Telescope (2019 - ). We will work with local organisations to arrange outreach events to mark these key stages in the missions we are involved with. We will continue to contribute to the department's efforts in engaging diverse audiences through targeted programmes and community events and are working to reach schools in Oxford with the lowest progression rates to university. This work aligns with STFC's mission of "Improving our reach with diverse audiences".
2. Analysis Techniques: The techniques we are developing for better exploiting Solar System planet observations will have potential impacts in other areas also. We are a member of an academic partnership with the UK Met Office, which will allow advances we make in atmospheric circulation modelling to be made available to Met Office researchers enabling them to be applied in weather forecasting and climate change prediction. The advanced retrieval techniques we are developing with our radiative transfer and retrieval model, NEMESIS, have the potential to change quite radically the way we think of our place in the Universe since they can be applied not only to Solar System planets, but also to the emerging field of exoplanetary science.
3. Novel Spacecraft Instrumentation: Our space instrument development activity involves collaboration with several UK industrial partners, where we are using technologies we have developed for planetary science instrumentation to enable a new class of radiometers for small Earth observation spacecraft. The surfaces theme includes the development of a compact infrared spectrometer and we are currently in early discussions with Oxford's technology transfer office (Oxford University Innovations Ltd) regarding possible commercial uses for this instrument for future Earth observation and ground-based applications.
4. Laboratory Surface Characterisation: The proposed upgrade to our space environment spectrogoniometer will enable a much wider user group from both academia and industry to gain benefit from using this facility. Example applications include carrying out specialist spectroscopic characterisation of high emissivity coatings or spacecraft components at multiple emission and reflection angles.
5. Building Connections: The planetary group coordinates the Oxford Space Research Network that brings together groups within the University with space instrumentation and technology interests. Our Network is an important route for connecting and disseminating our work to the national and international space sector. Preparation for future missions (especially in ESA's Cosmic Vision programme) helps to inform and enable involvement by UK companies.
6. Citizen Science: For our work on giant planet atmospheres the increasing ability of amateur observers to provide background monitoring of events is a hugely exciting new area of planetary science. Amateur astronomers were responsible for the detection of several planetary storms in the last few years, which led to professional programmes and resulting publications. Such involvements also give rise to increased engagement by amateur observers and the wider public/media
Publications
Wong M
(2022)
Evolution of a dark vortex on Neptune with transient secondary features
in Icarus
Villanueva G
(2021)
No evidence of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus from independent analyses
in Nature Astronomy
Toledo D
(2020)
Constraints on Neptune's haze structure and formation from VLT observations in the H-band
in Icarus
Toledo D
(2019)
Constraints on Uranus's haze structure, formation and transport
in Icarus
Thelen A
(2019)
Measurement of CH 3 D on Titan at Submillimeter Wavelengths
in The Astronomical Journal
Thelen A
(2022)
Variability in Titan's Mesospheric HCN and Temperature Structure as Observed by ALMA
in The Planetary Science Journal
Thelen A
(2020)
Detection of CH 3 C 3 N in Titan's Atmosphere
in The Astrophysical Journal
Teanby NA
(2019)
Seasonal evolution of Titan's stratosphere during the Cassini mission.
in Geophysical research letters
Teanby N
(2022)
Uranus's and Neptune's Stratospheric Water Abundance and Vertical Profile from Herschel-HIFI*
in The Planetary Science Journal
Teanby N
(2022)
Monsters of rock: are Uranus and Neptune rock giants?
Teanby N
(2021)
Neptune's HCl upper limit from Herschel/HIFI
in Icarus
Sylvestre M
(2020)
Seasonal evolution of temperatures in Titan's lower stratosphere
in Icarus
Sylvestre M
(2020)
C 2 N 2 Vertical Profile in Titan's Stratosphere
in The Astronomical Journal
Steffens B
(2022)
New Constraints on Titan's Stratospheric n-Butane Abundance
in The Planetary Science Journal
Sinclair J
(2020)
Spatial structure in Neptune's 7.90- ยต m stratospheric CH 4 emission, as measured by VLT-VISIR
in Icarus
Sinclair J
(2019)
A brightening of Jupiter's auroral 7.8-ยตm CH4 emission during a solar-wind compression
in Nature Astronomy
Shirley K
(2021)
Destination: Space! A Virtual Flash Talk Series
Sharkey J
(2021)
Potential vorticity structure of Titan's polar vortices from Cassini CIRS observations
in Icarus
Sharkey J
(2020)
Mapping the zonal structure of Titan's northern polar vortex
in Icarus
Sanz-Requena J
(2019)
Hazes and clouds in a singular triple vortex in Saturn's atmosphere from HST/WFC3 multispectral imaging
in Icarus
Sanz Requena J
(2021)
Saturn´s Stratospheric Hazes From HST Ultraviolet Imaging
Ruan T
(2019)
Investigating the semiannual oscillation on Mars using data assimilation
in Icarus
Rowe-Gurney N
(2021)
Neptune's Atmospheric Structure from the Spitzer Infrared Spectrometer
Roman M
(2020)
Erratum: "Uranus in Northern Mid-spring: Persistent Atmospheric Temperatures and Circulations Inferred from Thermal Imaging" (2020, AJ, 159, 45)
in The Astronomical Journal
Roman M
(2020)
Uranus in Northern Midspring: Persistent Atmospheric Temperatures and Circulations Inferred from Thermal Imaging
in The Astronomical Journal
Roman M
(2022)
Subseasonal Variation in Neptune's Mid-infrared Emission
in The Planetary Science Journal
Roman M
(2023)
Uranus from JWST: First Results
Ribeiro J
(2021)
A reanalysis of ISO-SWS Jupiter observations: first results
Ribeiro J
(2022)
Preliminary atmospheric study of Jupiter using ISO/SWS data
Read PL
(2022)
Energy Exchanges in Saturn's Polar Regions From Cassini Observations: Eddy-Zonal Flow Interactions.
in Journal of geophysical research. Planets
Read P
(2020)
The turbulent dynamics of Jupiter's and Saturn's weather layers: order out of chaos?
in Geoscience Letters
Read P
(2020)
Response to editorial comments
Read P
(2020)
Response to Reviewer 2
Read P
(2020)
Baroclinic and barotropic instabilities in planetary atmospheres: energetics, equilibration and adjustment
in Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics
Read P
(2019)
Responses to Referee comments
Read P
(2024)
The Dynamics of Jupiter's and Saturn's Weather Layers: A Synthesis After Cassini and Juno
in Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics
Title | Sing Song Physics |
Description | Created a song about asteroids with Jonny Berliner and people in Oxford |
Type Of Art | Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Impact | Evaluation showed that audience found the activity engaging and learnt about asteroids. |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT5EFnkm3gM |
Title | Cassini Saturn polar velocity fields |
Description | The data comprise two 2-dimensional gridded maps of horizontal wind measurements covering the north and south polar regions of Saturn, as previously published by Antuñano et al. (2015). As fully described in that paper, these measurements were derived from sets of Cassini Orbiter Imaging Sub-System (ISS) Wide Angle Camera (WAC) and Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) images using the continuum band CB2 and CB3 filters, acquired for the northern hemisphere in June 2013 and for the southern hemisphere using WAC CB2 and CB3 images taken in October 2006 and December 2008. Additional NAC images using the CB2 and red filters taken in July 2008 were also used to analyse the southern polar vortex. The WAC images covered a region extending from a planetocentric latitude of around 60-65 degrees to each pole (apart from a segment in longitude between around 35 - 110 degrees W) with a horizontal resolution equivalent to around 0.05 degrees latitude (around 50km) per pixel, while NAC images were mostly used for the polar vortices, with a resolution equivalent to around 0.01 degrees latitude (around 10 km) per pixel. Horizontal velocities were obtained using semi-automated image correlation methods between pairs of images separated in time by intervals of approximately 1-10 hours. The correlation algorithm used pixel box sizes of 23 x 23 (in the north) or 25 x 25 (in the south), leading to a spatial resolution of the velocity vectors equivalent to around 1 degree latitude or 1000 km outside the polar vortices, reducing to around 0.2 degrees or 200 km within the polar vortices themselves. The automatically generated velocity vectors were supplemented by a small number (around 1% of the total) of vectors obtained manually from the motion of visually identified cloud tracers. The estimated measurement uncertainty on each vector was around 5-10 m/s. The original velocity vectors from Antuñano et al. (2015) were interpolated onto a regular latitude-longitude grid using convex hulls and Delauney triangulation via the QHULL routine of the Interactive Data Language (IDL). The final datasets are held on a regular grid separated by 3-4 degrees in longitude and 0.23 degrees in latitude. Data are stored as two text files, tabulating the latitude and (west) longitude of each point and the eastward and northward velocity components respectively in units of m/s. Reference: Antuñano,A., del Río-Gaztelurrutia,T., Sánchez-Lavega,A., & Hueso, R. (2015). Dynamics of Saturn's polar regions. J. Geophys. Res.: Planets, 120, 155-176. doi: 10.1002/2014JE004709 |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | None as yet. |
URL | https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:76da2bd5-ac16-4df9-b6d4-4052b99ed720 |
Title | PASCALE Spectral Data for OSIRIS-REx |
Description | Spectral library of meteorite and mineral spectra measured under simulated asteroid conditions |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Analysis of remote sensing data from Bennu. |
URL | https://www.asteroidmission.org |
Description | Comet Interceptor ESA F-class mission |
Organisation | VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd |
Country | Finland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are the PI organisation for the MIRMIS hyper and multispectral imaging instrument for Comet Interceptor. |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of the Mid and Near-IR spectrometers for ESA's Comet Interceptor mission. |
Impact | Numerous technical reports to ESA as part of the evaluation of the Comet Interceptor science payload. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Lunar Trailblazer |
Organisation | National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) |
Country | United States |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | We are providing the Lunar Thermal Mapping instrument to NASA's Lunar Trailblazer SIMPLEX mission. |
Collaborator Contribution | NASA are funding the Lunar Trailblazer missions. The mission PI is based at CalTech. |
Impact | Technical documentation to NASA and UKSA as part of the design and review process for the Trailblazer mission. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | PROSPECT User group |
Organisation | European Space Agency |
Department | European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) |
Country | Netherlands |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Membership of the PROSPECT user group (PUG) |
Collaborator Contribution | ESA are leading the development of the PROSPECT package as part of lunar exploration collaboration with Russia. |
Impact | Technical reports for ESA PROSPECT instrument teams |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | UK Met Office numerical model development |
Organisation | Meteorological Office UK |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Laboratory measurements of convective flows for comparison with and validation of numerical model simulations. |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of access to numerical model codes and technical assistance and advice on adaptation of code to make simulations of our lab experiments. Provision of super-computer resources to carry out simulations. Sponsorship of NERC CASE award for student to work on the model. |
Impact | Adaptation of Met Office ENDGAME model to simulate flows in cylindrical geometry - work still in progress. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Title | 3D Airless Bodies thermal physical model |
Description | 3D thermal model of airless bodies (Moon, asteroids, Comets etc.) |
Type Of Technology | Physical Model/Kit |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Open Source License? | Yes |
Impact | Mission design for PROPECt, Comet Interceptor and Lunar Trailblazer |
URL | https://github.com/tw7044/O3DTM |
Description | Destination: Space, Virtual Flash Talk Series |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | A series of six online talks were presented on several planetary science topics to a live audience of about 100 students per talk. These talks allowed for interactive discussions of each topic, and increased interest from schools in using these talks and follow-up materials to relate these topics to the national curriculum. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www2.physics.ox.ac.uk/about-us/outreach/public/public-lectures/flash-talk-physics |
Description | International Observe the Moon Night public event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Approximately 90 university students and members of the general public attended our lunar observing night as part of the International Observe the Moon night program by NASA. This included many discussions about lunar research at the University of Oxford, as well as general information about planetary science from children and adults alike. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/events/international-observe-moon-night |
Description | Oxford Sparks Big Questions Podcast: Is there water on the Moon? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | We recorded a 15 minute podcast suited for general audiences that was focused on the upcoming Lunar Trailblazer mission, the detection of water on the Moon, and its importance for future exploration. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Oxford Stargazing |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The public was invited into the department to take part in interactive activities, engage with researchers and listen to lectures. Our booth demonstrated the utility of infrared techniques in examining planetary surfaces through use of a thermal infrared camera; the sampling technique used in the OSIRIS-REx sample return mission through a custom built game; and the challenges of using robotics by using a robotic arm to perform simple tasks. These activities drew participants in and facilitated discussions about the science and engineering involved in planetary missions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
Description | Oxford University Museum of Natural History Christmas Lecture: Exploring the Solar System with Invisible Light |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | ~80 Year 5 & 6 students from several schools attended our invited talk at the Natural History Museum discussing infrared light and how we use it to learn about the Solar System. This event included discussion, NASA & ESA videos, as well as demonstrations of key concepts relevant to the national curriculum. Teachers reported increased student interest and we were invited to return to for further museum events. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Royal Society Summer Exhibition 2019 - Living on the Moon |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Participated in the "Living on the Moon" exhibit at the 2019 Royal Society Summer Exhibition. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/2019/summer-science-exhibition/ |
Description | School Seminar: How do we know what other planets are made of? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 70 primary school students attended a virtual talk on meteorites and asteroids, creating discussion on local events (meteorite impact) and the OSIRIS-REx sample return mission. The school reported increased interest in space and physics, and we received several thank-you letters from students. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Virtual School Talk: What are Shooting Stars? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 40 primary students attended a virtual talk about meteorites. This encouraged discussion about a recent local meteorite fall and meteorite and asteroid research ongoing at Oxford. The school reported increased curiosity in the subject, and good links to the national curriculum, and we were invited back. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |