Surface temperature of Jupiter
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Jupiter Surface Temperature: Troposphere and Effective Temperature
Jupiter does not have a solid surface, so "surface temperature" usually refers to temperatures at specific atmospheric pressure levels, most commonly at 1 bar (the pressure at Earth's surface). Measurements from various missions and analyses show that the temperature at the 1 bar level on Jupiter is about 166–170 K (about -107°C to -103°C), with some spatial variation across latitudes and regions. For example, recent reanalysis of Voyager data found temperatures of 170.3 ± 3.8 K at 12°S and 167.3 ± 3.8 K at the equator, while the Galileo probe measured 166.1 ± 0.8 K at 6.6°N, indicating up to 7 K variation between different locations on the planet . Earlier studies using Pioneer 10 data reported similar values, with 170 K in the South Equatorial Belt and 155 K in the South Tropical Zone at the 1 bar level, depending on atmospheric conditions and cloud presence .
The effective temperature, which is a measure of the planet’s total emitted infrared energy, is about 127 K for the South Equatorial Belt and 124 K for the South Tropical Zone . Other far-infrared and submillimeter measurements give an effective temperature for Jupiter of 126.8 ± 4.5 K .
Temperature Structure: Upper Atmosphere and Thermosphere
Jupiter’s upper atmosphere, or thermosphere, is much hotter than the lower layers. In situ and remote-sensing measurements show that equatorial thermospheric temperatures are around 762 ± 43 K, with auroral regions reaching 1143–1200 K . These high temperatures are not fully explained by solar heating alone, and are thought to be influenced by energy from Jupiter’s magnetosphere and auroral activity, as well as the redistribution of this energy by atmospheric winds 3410. Gravity waves and magnetosphere-ionosphere interactions are believed to play a significant role in heating the thermosphere, leading to the so-called "energy crisis" where observed temperatures are much higher than models predict from solar input alone 310.
Temperature Variations and Influencing Factors
Jupiter’s atmospheric temperatures vary with latitude, altitude, and local atmospheric dynamics. The presence of clouds, especially near the 0.6 bar level, can affect local temperatures by trapping heat or reflecting sunlight . There is also evidence for spatial temperature anomalies linked to magnetic field features, such as a region about 30 K cooler than its surroundings near 20°N, 90°W, which may be influenced by Jupiter’s magnetic field .
Historical and Formation Temperatures
During its formation, Jupiter’s surface temperature was much higher, reaching up to about 5000 K during the rapid accretion phase, before cooling to its present state . Today, Jupiter continues to cool slowly, with its effective temperature decreasing at a rate of about -1 K per 145 million years .
Conclusion
Jupiter’s "surface" temperature at the 1 bar pressure level is about 166–170 K, with effective temperatures around 127 K. The upper atmosphere is much hotter, with temperatures exceeding 700 K and reaching over 1000 K in auroral regions. These high thermospheric temperatures are driven by complex interactions between solar input, atmospheric dynamics, and Jupiter’s powerful magnetosphere. Temperature variations across the planet are influenced by latitude, cloud cover, and magnetic anomalies, reflecting the dynamic and layered nature of Jupiter’s atmosphere.
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