Collaborative Research: Visible Reflectivity of Jupiter and Saturn. Implications for Giant Planets Thermal Evolution

木星和土星是太阳系中最大的两颗行星，它们都被认为在内部产生大量的热量。为了测量从太阳吸收的热量和内部产生的热量之间的差异，重要的是要确定这些行星大气层中的云反射了多少热量。该项目将使用从航天器收集的数据来测量土星云层的反射率，并开发一个包括土星环和土星环阴影的土星模型。该项目将吸收本科生参与研究的各个方面，利用行星数据系统的原始图像数据，从卡西尼号数据中推导出1-3微米的通量。有了这些数据，他们将确定土星的云散射特性，并升级他们的3D土星模型，以包括新的云散射特性。该项目还将利用合作机构休斯顿大学提供的木星数据和现有模型验证该模型。该项目还将致力于将3D Saturn模型从IDL移植到Python，并在GitHub上公开提供。该项目还将在拉韦尔纳大学设立一个夏季本科生研究项目。研究成果将被纳入拉韦尔纳大学的几门本科课程中。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估来支持。

Jupiter and Saturn are the two largest planets in the solar system and they are both thought to generate significant heat internally. To measure the difference between heat absorbed from the sun and heat generated internally, it is important to determine how much heat is reflected by the clouds in the atmospheres of these planets. This project will use data gathered from spacecraft to measure the reflectivity of clouds in Saturn and develop a model for Saturn including the rings and the shadows of the rings. The project will incorporate undergraduate students in all aspects of this research.This project will use raw image data from the Planetary Data System to derive 1-3 micrometer flux from Cassini data. With this data, they will determine cloud scattering properties for Saturn and upgrade their 3D Saturn model to include the new cloud scattering properties. The project would also validate the model with data and existing models for Jupiter provided by the collaborating institution, the University of Houston. The project will also work on porting the 3D Saturn model from IDL to Python and make it publicly available on GitHub. The project will also create a summer undergraduate research program at the University of La Verne. Results of the research will be incorporated in several of the undergraduate courses at the University of La Verne.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.