Key Atmospheric Signatures for Identifying Source Reservoirs of Volatiles in Giant Planets

Explore the latest findings on Jupiter's atmospheric composition and their implications for understanding the formation of giant planets in this hour-long lecture. Delve into the recent measurements of water abundance in Jupiter's equatorial region provided by the Juno spacecraft's microwave radiometer. Examine how these new data, combined with other elemental abundance measurements, shed light on the mechanisms behind Jupiter's supersolar metallicity. Compare two scenarios explaining Jupiter's composition: the agglomeration of condensed solids and the accretion of supersolar gas from drifting volatile-rich pebbles. Extend this analysis to Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, and consider the observational tests needed to distinguish between these formation scenarios. Gain insights into the source reservoirs of volatiles in giant planets and their significance for planetary formation theories.