Conditions for radiative zones in the molecular hydrogen envelope of Jupiter and Saturn: The role of alkali metals

¹ Leiden Observatory, University of Leiden, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CA Leiden, The Netherlands
² SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research, Niels Bohrweg 4, 2333CA Leiden, The Netherlands
³ Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, Boulevard de l’Observatoire CS 34229, 06304 Nice Cedex 4, France

^★ Corresponding author; siebenaler@strw.leidenuniv.nl

Received: 4 November 2024
Accepted: 18 December 2024

Abstract

Context. Interior models of gas giants in the Solar System traditionally assume a fully convective molecular hydrogen envelope. However, recent observations from the Juno mission suggest a possible depletion of alkali metals in Jupiter’s molecular hydrogen envelope, indicating that a stable radiative layer could exist at the kilobar level. Recent studies propose that deep stable layers help reconcile various Jupiter observations, including its atmospheric water and CO abundances and the depth of its zonal winds. However, opacity tables used to infer stable layers are often outdated and incomplete, leaving the precise molecular hydrogen envelope composition required for a deep radiative zone uncertain.

Aims. In this paper, we determine atmospheric compositions that can lead to the formation of a radiative zone at the kilobar level in Jupiter and Saturn today.

Methods. We computed radiative opacity tables covering pressures up to 10⁵ bar, including the most abundant molecules present in the gas giants of the Solar System, as well as contributions from free electrons, metal hydrides, oxides, and atomic species, using the most up-to-date line lists published in the literature. These tables were used to calculate Rosseland-mean opacities for the molecular hydrogen envelopes of Jupiter and Saturn, which were then compared to the critical mean opacity required to maintain convection.

Results. We find that the presence of a radiative zone is controlled by the existence of K, Na, and NaH in the atmosphere of Jupiter and Saturn. For Jupiter, the elemental abundance of K and Na must be less than ∼10⁻³ times solar to form a radiative zone. In contrast, for Saturn, the required abundance for K and Na is below ∼10⁻⁴ times solar.