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Article: Jupiter Retains Atmosphere of Mystery; Surprise Galileo Data Could Force New Theories of Planetary Formation
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- January 23, 1996
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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The Galileo probe that plunged into the turbulent atmosphere
of Jupiter last month has intensified one of the giant planet's
persistent mysteries: Where is the water?
Preliminary data released yesterday reveal a Jovian atmosphere
much drier than expected, in fact with no more water content than
the sun, scientists said in the first briefing on the probe's
findings since its arrival at Jupiter on Dec. 7. There had been
indications of water abundances ranging from two to 10 times that of
the sun, based on decades-old data from the Voyager spacecraft and
analysis of the 1994 impacts of a fragmented comet on Jupiter.
This and several other surprises in the results have launched ...