Spatial and temporal variations of Jupiter's H-3(+) emission deduced from image analysis

Intensity distribution of H-3(+) emission across Jupiter's disk has been an alyzed using 3.4-mu m IRTF/ ProtoCAM images acquired in 1992. The apparent disk emission is approximated using a mathematical function, of which param eters characterize (i) the dependence on the solar illumination angle, (ii) limb brightening consistent with the line-of-sight effect, and (iii) the l atitudinal variation. A simple atmospheric model reproduces the disk emissi on (corrected for the line-of-sight effect) well, with H-3(+) emission peak in an altitude range 700-750 km above P = 600 mb level.