THE SPECTRUM OF JUPITER AT 3.5-MU-M

Synthetic spectra of Jupiter at 3.5 mu m have been compared to observa tions from ESO/NTT in the equatorial region, They show that a previous ly unidentified feature at 3.52 mu m can be interpreted as a solar ref lected component, appearing between strong absorption of CH4 of the jo vian atmosphere. This feature is very sensitive to the pressure level of the reflecting layer (corresponding to the top of the NH3 cloud in the model), giving an accurate method for measuring the latitudinal va riations of the pressure level of the NH3 cloud. (C) 1996 Academic Pre ss, Inc.