3-D ANALYSIS OF THE SEISMIC RESPONSE OF JUPITER TO THE SL9 IMPACTS - APPLICATION TO THE CAMIRAS INFRARED IMAGES

The search for infrared signatures of the seismic waves launched by th e explosions of the SL9 fragments in the Jovian troposphere is reporte d. Attention is restricted to the primary pressure waves (P-waves) whi ch cross the planet within the 2 h following each impact. First the po ssible focusing of these waves which occurs if the plasma phase transi tion from molecular to metallic hydrogen exists in the Jupiter envelop e is searched for. A three-dimensional wave propagation code is comput ed to take into account the strong oblateness of Jupiter. This model p ermits the determination of the wavefront shape accurately. Although n o seismic signal is detected, an upper limit of 1.5x10(21) J for the k inetic energy of the observed impacts (A, E, H, L, Q(1)) can be set, c orresponding to fragment diameters lower than 1.2 km. (C) 1997 Elsevie r Science Ltd. All rights reserved.