Andrew S. Ackerman and Mark S. Marley 2001 ApJ 556 872 doi:10.1086/321540
Andrew S. Ackerman1 and Mark S. Marley1,2
Show affiliationsWe present a method to calculate vertical profiles of particle size distributions in condensation clouds of giant planets and brown dwarfs. The method assumes a balance between turbulent diffusion and sedimentation in horizontally uniform cloud decks. Calculations for the Jovian ammonia cloud are compared with results from previous methods. An adjustable parameter describing the efficiency of sedimentation allows the new model to span the range of predictions made by previous models. Calculations for the Jovian ammonia cloud are consistent with observations. Example calculations are provided for water, silicate, and iron clouds on brown dwarfs and on a cool extrasolar giant planet. We find that precipitating cloud decks naturally account for the characteristic trends seen in the spectra of L- and T-type ultracool dwarfs.
Issue 2 (2001 August 1)
Received 2000 October 26, accepted for publication 2001 March 22
Andrew S. Ackerman and Mark S. Marley 2001 ApJ 556 872
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