Program: GN-2017A-Q-60

Gemini-N NIRI global maps of Jupiter at 5 µm will provide a crucial component in a tightly focused observational campaign supporting Juno's microwave and infrared investigation of the atmosphere, near Jupiter opposition in mid-April. Members of our small team are leading key support observations, each with great independent scientific value. The overarching goal of the joint campaign is to understand the 3D flow in Jupiter's atmosphere, with Hubble data measuring horizontal flow, and VLA / Keck / IRTF / Gemini data tracing vertical flow. In particular, NIRI will use clearings in the upper cloud decks (which are bright in M-band) to trace locations of downward dynamical flow. Jupiter will be imaged to provide context for Juno atmospheric data, which covers only a narrow north-south swath during the perijove pass of each 14-day orbit. Imaging during these other (non-opposition) epochs will only cover the sub-spacecraft path of Juno, forgoing global coverage. Our lucky imaging data will directly help Juno's Microwave Radiometer find homogeneous samples needed for their O/H abundance measurements. These coordinated observations are highly time-sensitive.