Statistics of Long Period Gas Giant Planets in Known Planetary Systems

Statistics of Long Period Gas Giant Planets in Known Planetary Systems

Authors:

Bryan et al

Abstract:

We conducted a Doppler survey at Keck combined with NIRC2 K-band AO imaging to search for massive, long-period companions to 123 known exoplanet systems with one or two planets detected using the radial velocity (RV) method. Our survey is sensitive to Jupiter mass planets out to 20 AU for a majority of stars in our sample, and we report the discovery of eight new long-period planets, in addition to 20 systems with statistically significant RV trends indicating the presence of an outer companion beyond 5 AU. We combine our RV observations with AO imaging to determine the range of allowed masses and orbital separations for these companions, and account for variations in our sensitivity to companions among stars in our sample. We estimate the total occurrence rate of companions in our sample to be 52 +/- 5% over the range 1 - 20 M_Jup and 5 - 20 AU. Our data also suggest a declining frequency for gas giant planets in these systems beyond 3-10 AU, in contrast to earlier studies that found a rising frequency for giant planets in the range 0.01-3 AU. This suggests either that the frequency of gas giant planets peaks between 3-10 AU, or that outer companions in these systems have a different semi-major axis distribution than the overall gas giant planet population. Our results also suggest that hot gas giants may be more likely to have an outer companion than cold gas giants. We find that planets with an outer companion have higher average eccentricities than their single counterparts, suggesting that dynamical interactions between planets may play an important role in these systems.

Transition Disk J160421.7-213028 has a Massive Exoplanet at 9.6 AU

Variability and dust filtration in the transition disk J160421.7-213028 observed in optical scattered light

Authors:

Pinila et al

Abstract:

Context.

Some of transition disks show asymmetric structures in thermal sub-millimetre emission and optical scattered light. These structures can be the result of planet(s) or companions embedded in the disk.

Aims.

We aim to detect and analyse the scattered light of the transition disk J160421.7-213028, identify disk structures, and compare the results with previous observations of this disk at other wavelengths.

Methods.

We obtained and analysed new polarised intensity observations of the transition disk J160421.7-213028 with VLT/SPHERE using the visible light instrument ZIMPOL at R′-band (0.626μm). We probe the disk gap down to a radius of confidence of 0.1'' (∼15 AU at 145 pc). We interpret the results in the context of dust evolution when planets interact with the parental disk.

Results.

We observe a gap from 0.1 to 0.3'' (∼15 to 40 AU) and a bright annulus as previously detected by HiCIAO H-band observations at 1.65μm. The radial width of the annulus is around 40 AU, and its peak is at ∼59 AU from the central star. The peak of the reflected light at 0.626 μm seems to be slightly closer (∼4 AU) than the peak at 1.65 μm, and 20 AU closer than the cavity size observed at 880 μm. In addition, we detect a dip at position angle of ∼46.2±5.4∘. A dip was also detected with HiCIAO but at ∼85∘. If the dip observed with HiCIAO is the same, this suggests an average dip rotation of ∼12∘/year.

Conclusions.

The spatial discrepancy in the radial emission in J160421.7-213028 at different wavelengths is consistent with dust filtration at the outer edge of a gap carved by a massive planet. The dip rotation can be interpreted by fast variability of the inner disk and/or the presence of a warp or circumplanetary material of a planet at ∼9.6 AU.

Refined Characteristics of Jupiter Analog 51 Eridani b

Astrometric Confirmation and Preliminary Orbital Parameters of the Young Exoplanet 51 Eridani b with the Gemini Planet Imager

Authors:

De Rosa et al

Abstract:

We present new GPI observations of the young exoplanet 51 Eridani b which provide further evidence that the companion is physically associated with 51 Eridani. Combining this new astrometric measurement with those reported in the literature, we significantly reduce the posterior probability that 51 Eridani b is an unbound foreground or background T-dwarf in a chance alignment with 51 Eridani to 2×10−7, an order of magnitude lower than previously reported. If 51 Eridani b is indeed a bound object, then we have detected orbital motion of the planet between the discovery epoch and the latest epoch. By implementing a computationally efficient Monte Carlo technique, preliminary constraints are placed on the orbital parameters of the system. The current set of astrometric measurements suggest an orbital semi-major axis of 14+7−3 AU, corresponding to a period of 41+35−12 yr (assuming a mass of 1.75 M⊙ for the central star), and an inclination of 138+15−13 deg. The remaining orbital elements are only marginally constrained by the current measurements. These preliminary values suggest an orbit which does not share the same inclination as the orbit of the distant M-dwarf binary, GJ 3305, which is a wide physically bound companion to 51 Eridani.

Did Jupiter Eject a Neptune Sized Planet for our Solar System?

Could Jupiter or Saturn Have Ejected a Fifth Giant Planet?

Authors:

Cloutier et al

Abstract:

Models of the dynamical evolution of the early solar system following the dispersal of the gaseous protoplanetary disk have been widely successful in reconstructing the current orbital configuration of the giant planets. Statistically, some of the most successful dynamical evolution simulations have initially included a hypothetical fifth giant planet, of ice giant mass, which gets ejected by a gas giant during the early solar system's proposed instability phase. We investigate the likelihood of an ice giant ejection event by either Jupiter or Saturn through constraints imposed by the current orbits of their wide-separation regular satellites Callisto and Iapetus respectively. We show that planetary encounters that are sufficient to eject an ice giant, often provide excessive perturbations to the orbits of Callisto and Iapetus making it difficult to reconcile a planet ejection event with the current orbit of either satellite. Quantitatively, we compute the likelihood of reconciling a regular Jovian satellite orbit with the current orbit of Callisto following an ice giant ejection by Jupiter of ~ 42% and conclude that such a large likelihood supports the hypothesis of a fifth giant planet's existence. A similar calculation for Iapetus reveals that it is much more difficult for Saturn to have ejected an ice giant and reconcile a Kronian satellite orbit with that of Iapetus (likelihood ~ 1%), although uncertainties regarding the formation of Iapetus, on its unusual orbit, complicates the interpretation of this result.

Hot Jupiter HD 189733b may Have a Thin, Leading bow Shock

Optical hydrogen absorption consistent with a thin bow shock leading the hot Jupiter HD 189733b

Authors:

Cauley et al

Abstract:

Bow shocks are ubiquitous astrophysical phenomena resulting from the supersonic passage of an object through a gas. Recently, pre-transit absorption in UV metal transitions of the hot Jupiter exoplanets HD 189733b and WASP12-b have been interpreted as being caused by material compressed in a planetary bow shock. Here we present a robust detection of a time-resolved pre-transit, as well as in-transit, absorption signature around the hot Jupiter exoplanet HD 189733b using high spectral resolution observations of several hydrogen Balmer lines. The line shape of the pre-transit feature and the shape of the time series absorption provide the strongest constraints on the morphology and physical characteristics of extended structures around an exoplanet. The in-transit measurements confirm the previous exospheric H-alpha detection although the absorption depth measured here is ~50% lower. The pre-transit absorption feature occurs 125 minutes before the predicted optical transit, a projected linear distance from the planet to the stellar disk of 7.2 planetary radii. The absorption strength observed in the Balmer lines indicates an optically thick, but physically small, geometry. We model this signal as the early ingress of a planetary bow shock. If the bow shock is mediated by a planetary magnetosphere, the large standoff distance derived from the model suggests a large equatorial planetary magnetic field strength of 28 G. Better knowledge of exoplanet magnetic field strengths is crucial to understanding the role these fields play in planetary evolution and the potential development of life on planets in the habitable zone.

New Orbital Parameters for β Pictoris b

β Pictoris' inner disk in polarized light and new orbital parameters for β Pictoris b

Authors:

Millar-Blanchaer et al

Abstract:

We present H-band observations of β Pic with the Gemini Planet Imager's (GPI's) polarimetry mode that reveal the debris disk between ~0.3" (~6 AU) and ~1.7" (~33 AU), while simultaneously detecting β Pic b. The polarized disk image was fit with a dust density model combined with a Henyey-Greenstein scattering phase function. The best fit model indicates a disk inclined to the line of sight (ϕ=85.27deg+0.26−0.19) with a position angle θPA=30.35deg+0.29−0.28 (slightly offset from the main outer disk, θPA≈29deg), that extends from an inner disk radius of 23.6+0.9−0.6 AU to well outside GPI's field of view. In addition, we present an updated orbit for β Pic b based on new astrometric measurements taken in GPI's spectroscopic mode spanning 14 months. The planet has a semi-major axis of a=9.2+1.5−0.4AU, with an eccentricity e≤0.26. The position angle of the ascending node is Ω=31.75deg±0.15, offset from both the outer main disk and the inner disk seen in the GPI image. The orbital fit constrains the stellar mass of β Pic to 1.60±0.05M⊙. Dynamical sculpting by β Pic b cannot easily account for the following three aspects of the inferred disk properties: 1) the modeled inner radius of the disk is farther out than expected if caused by β Pic b; 2) the mutual inclination of the inner disk and β Pic b is 4deg, when it is expected to be closer to zero; and 3) the aspect ratio of the disk (h0=0.137+0.005−0.006) is larger than expected from interactions with β Pic b or self-stirring by the disk's parent bodies.

Young Gas Giant Exoplanet 51 Eri b has Water, Methane in its Atmosphere

Discovery and spectroscopy of the young Jovian planet 51 Eri b with the Gemini Planet Imager

Authors:

MacIntosh et al

Abstract:

Directly detecting thermal emission from young extrasolar planets allows measurement of their atmospheric composition and luminosity, which is influenced by their formation mechanism. Using the Gemini Planet Imager, we discovered a planet orbiting the $sim$20 Myr-old star 51 Eridani at a projected separation of 13 astronomical units. Near-infrared observations show a spectrum with strong methane and water vapor absorption. Modeling of the spectra and photometry yields a luminosity of L/LS=1.6-4.0 x 10-6 and an effective temperature of 600-750 K. For this age and luminosity, "hot-start" formation models indicate a mass twice that of Jupiter. This planet also has a sufficiently low luminosity to be consistent with the "cold- start" core accretion process that may have formed Jupiter.

Barnard's Star Cannot Have a Brown Dwarf or Gas Giant Greater Than 15 Jupiter Masses

Constraints on the substellar companions in wide orbits around the Barnard's Star from CanariCam mid-infrared imaging

Authors:

Gauza et al

Abstract:

We have performed mid-infrared imaging of Barnard's Star, one of the nearest stars to the Sun, using CanariCam on the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio Canarias. We aim to investigate an area within 1-10 arcsec separations, which for the 1.83 pc distance of the star translates to projected orbital separations of 1.8-18 AU (P greater than 12 yr), which have not been explored yet with astrometry or radial velocity programs. It is therefore an opportunity to enter the domain of distances where most giant planets are expected to form. We performed deep imaging in the N-band window (Si-2 filter, 8.7 {\mu}m) reaching a 3{\sigma} detection limit of 0.85+/-0.18 mJy and angular resolution of 0.24 arcsec, close to the diffraction limit of the telescope at this wavelength. A total of 80 min on-source integration time data were collected and combined for the deepest image. We achieved a dynamical range of 8.0+/-0.1 mag in the 8.7 {\mu}m band, at angular separations from ~2 to 10 arcsec and of ~6-8 mag at 1-2 arcsec. No additional sources were found. Our detectability limits provide further constraints to the presence of substellar companions of the Barnard's Star. According to solar metallicity evolutionary models, we can exclude companions of masses larger than 15 MJup (Teff greater than 400 K), ages of a few Gyr, and located in ~3.6-18 AU orbits with a 3{\sigma} confidence level. This minimum mass is approximately 5 MJup smaller than any previous imaging survey that explored the surroundings of Barnard's Star could restrict.

HATS-7b: A Hot Super Neptune Transiting a Quiet K Dwarf Star

HATS-7b: A Hot Super Neptune Transiting a Quiet K Dwarf Star

Authors:

Bakos et al

Abstract:

We report the discovery by the HATSouth network of HATS-7b, a transiting Super-Neptune with a mass of 0.120+/-0.012 M_Jup, a radius of 0.563+0.046-0.034 R_Jup, and an orbital period of 3.1853 days. The host star is a moderately bright (V = 13.340+/-0.010 mag, K_S = 10.976+/-0.026 mag) K dwarf star with a mass of 0.849+/-0.027 M_Sun, a radius of 0.815+0.049-0.035 R_Sun, and a metallicity of [Fe/H]= +0.250+/-0.080. The star is photometrically quiet to within the precision of the HATSouth measurements, has low RV jitter, and shows no evidence for chromospheric activity in its spectrum. HATS-7b is the second smallest radius planet discovered by a wide-field ground-based transit survey, and one of only a handful of Neptune-size planets with mass and radius determined to 10% precision. Theoretical modeling of HATS-7b yields a hydrogen-helium fraction of 18+/-4% (rock-iron core and H2-He envelope), or 9+/-4% (ice core and H2-He envelope), i.e.it has a composition broadly similar to that of Uranus and Neptune, and very different from that of Saturn, which has 75% of its mass in H2-He. Based on a sample of transiting exoplanets with accurately (less than 20%) determined parameters, we establish approximate power-law relations for the envelopes of the mass-density distribution of exoplanets. HATS-7b, which, together with the recently discovered HATS-8b, is one of the first two transiting Neptunes discovered in the Southern sky, is a prime target for additional follow-up observations with southern hemisphere facilities to characterize the atmospheres of super-Neptunes.

Another OGLE-2005-BLG-169b Confirmation Through Keck

CONFIRMATION OF THE OGLE-2005-BLG-169 PLANET SIGNATURE AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS WITH LENS–SOURCE PROPER MOTION DETECTION

Authors:

Batista et al

Abstract:

We present Keck NIRC2 high angular resolution adaptive optics observations of the microlensing event OGLE-2005-BLG-169Lb, taken 8.21 years after the discovery of this planetary system. For the first time for a microlensing planetary event, the source and the lens are completely resolved, providing a precise measurement of their heliocentric relative proper motion, ${\mu }_{\mathrm{rel},\mathrm{helio}}=7.44\pm 0.17$ mas yr−1. This confirms and refines the initial model presented in the discovery paper and rules out a range of solutions that were allowed by the microlensing light curve. This is also the first time that parameters derived from a microlensing planetary signal are confirmed, both with the Keck measurements, presented in this paper, and independent measurements obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope in $I,V$ and B bands, presented in a companion paper. Hence, this new measurement of ${\mu }_{\mathrm{rel},\mathrm{helio}}$, as well as the measured brightness of the lens in H band, enabled the mass and distance of the system to be updated: a Uranus-mass planet (${m}_{{\rm{p}}}=13.2\pm 1.3{M}_{\oplus }$) orbiting a K5-type main sequence star (${M}_{*}=0.65\pm 0.05{M}_{\odot }$) separated by ${a}_{\perp }=3.4\pm 0.3$ AU, at the distance ${D}_{{\rm{L}}}=4.0\pm 0.4$ kpc from us.

OGLE-2005-BLG-169b: a Neptune Class Exoplanet Orbiting at 4 AU

CONFIRMATION OF THE PLANETARY MICROLENSING SIGNAL AND STAR AND PLANET MASS DETERMINATIONS FOR EVENT OGLE-2005-BLG-169

Authors:

Bennett et al

Abstract:

We present Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) observations of the source and lens stars for planetary microlensing event OGLE-2005-BLG-169, which confirm the relative proper motion prediction due to the planetary light curve signal observed for this event. This (and the companion Keck result) provide the first confirmation of a planetary microlensing signal, for which the deviation was only 2%. The follow-up observations determine the flux of the planetary host star in multiple passbands and remove light curve model ambiguity caused by sparse sampling of part of the light curve. This leads to a precise determination of the properties of the OGLE-2005-BLG-169Lb planetary system. Combining the constraints from the microlensing light curve with the photometry and astrometry of the HST/WFC3 data, we find star and planet masses of M*=0.69 solar mass +/- 0.02 solar mass and mp=14.1 earth mass +/- 0.9 earth mass. The planetary microlens system is located toward the Galactic bulge at a distance of DL=4.1 kpc +/- 0.4 kpc and the projected star–planet separation is a =3.5 AU +/- 0.3 AU, corresponding to a semimajor axis of a=4.0 AU +2.2/-.6 AU.

51 Eridani b: a 20 Million Year old Jupiter Analog Found Through Direct Imaging

One of the best ways to learn how our solar system evolved is to look to younger star systems in the early stages of development. Now, a team of astronomers has discovered a Jupiter-like planet within a young system that could serve as a decoder ring for understanding how planets formed around our sun.

The new planet, called 51 Eridani b, is the first exoplanet discovered by the Gemini Planet Imager, a new instrument operated by an international collaboration headed by Bruce Macintosh, a professor of physics at Stanford University and a member of the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology. It is a million times fainter than its parent star and shows the strongest methane signature ever detected on an alien planet, which should yield additional clues as to how the planet formed.

The results are published in the current issue of Science.

link.

another link.

and another.

yet another.

paper link.

Atmospheric Escape by Magnetically Driven Wind From Hot Jupiters

Atmospheric Escape by Magnetically Driven Wind from Gaseous Planets II --Effects of Magnetic Diffusion--

Authors:

Tanaka et al

Abstract:

We investigate roles of Alfvenic waves in the weakly-ionized atmosphere of hot Jupiters by carrying out non-ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations with Ohmic diffusion in one-dimensional magnetic flux tubes. Turbulence at the surface excites Alfven waves and they propagate upward to drive hot (~ 10^4 K) outflows. The magnetic diffusion plays an important role in the dissipation of the Alfvenic waves in the weakly ionized atmosphere of hot Jupiters. The mass-loss rate of the spontaneously driven planetary wind is considerably reduced, in comparison with that obtained from ideal MHD simulations because the Alfvenic waves are severely damped at low altitudes in the atmosphere, whereas the wave heating is still important in the heating of the upper atmosphere. Dependence on the surface temperature, planetary radius, and velocity dispersion at the surface is also investigated. We find an inversion phenomenon of the transmitted wave energy flux; the energy flux carried by Alfven waves in the upper atmosphere has a nonmonotonic correlation with the input energy flux from the surface in a certain range of the surface temperature because the resistivity is determined by the global physical properties of the atmosphere in a complicated manner. We also point out that the heating and mass loss are expected only in limited zones if the open magnetic field is confined in the limited regions.

The Weihai Observatory's Observation of HD 62509b

The Weihai Observatory search for close-in planets orbiting giant stars

Authors:

Wittenmyer et al

Abstract:

Planets are known to orbit giant stars, yet there is a shortage of planets orbiting within ~0.5 AU (P less than 100 days). First-ascent giants have not expanded enough to engulf such planets, but tidal forces can bring planets to the surface of the star far beyond the stellar radius. So the question remains: are tidal forces strong enough in these stars to engulf all the missing planets? We describe a high-cadence observational program to obtain precise radial velocities of bright giants from Weihai Observatory of Shandong University. We present data on the planet host Beta Gem (HD 62509), confirming our ability to derive accurate and precise velocities; our data achieve an rms of 7.3 m/s about the Keplerian orbit fit. This planet-search programme currently receives ~100 nights per year, allowing us to aggressively pursue short-period planets to determine whether they are truly absent.

KMT-2015-1b: a 2 Jupiter Mass Exoplanet Orbiting a M Dwarf Beyond the Snowline

KMT-2015-1b: a Giant Planet Orbiting a Low-mass Dwarf Host Star Discovered by a New High-cadence Microlensing Survey with a Global Telescope Network

Authors:

Hwang et al

Abstract:

We report the discovery of an extrasolar planet, KMT-2015-1b, that was detected using the microlensing technique. The planetary lensing event was observed by KMTNet survey that has commenced in 2015. With dense coverage by using network of globally distributed telescopes equipped with very wide-field cameras, the short planetary signal is clearly detected and precisely characterized. We find that KMT-2015-1b is a giant planet orbiting a low-mass M-dwarf host star. The planet has a mass about twice that of Jupiter and it is located beyond the snow line of the host star. With the improvement of existing surveys and the advent of new surveys, future microlensing planet samples will include planets not only in greatly increased number but also in a wide spectrum of hosts and planets, helping us to have a better and comprehensive understanding about the formation and evolution of planets.

How Old is the Gliese 504 System

ON THE AGE OF GLIESE 504

Authors:

Fuhrmann et al

Abstract:

Direct imaging observations of the solar-type star Gl 504 have recently uncovered a faint companion that, on the supposition that the host star has an age of $160_{-60}^{+350}$ Myr, was announced to be a $4_{-1.0}^{+4.5}$ MJ Jovian exoplanet. Here we present the observational evidence that Gl 504 A is an evolved turn-off star of about solar age and by inference its faint companion a low-mass brown dwarf. As with our previous work on Gl 504 A several years ago, we suggest the accretion of a substellar object to account for the otherwise unexplained high rotation of Gl 504 A. We also propose that with the distant Gl 504 B we may now well be facing the driving agent for the former merger.

Probing Exoplanet Hosting Solar Twin Gliese 3021

Activity and Magnetic Field Structure of the Sun-Like Planet Hosting Star HD 1237

Authors:

Alvarado-Gómez et al

Abstract:

We analyse the magnetic activity characteristics of the planet hosting Sun-like star, HD 1237, using HARPS spectro-polarimetric time-series data. We find evidence of rotational modulation of the magnetic longitudinal field measurements consistent with our ZDI analysis, with a period of 7 days. We investigate the effect of customising the LSD mask to the line depths of the observed spectrum and find that it has a minimal effect on shape of the extracted Stokes V profile but does result in a small increase in the S/N (∼ 7%). We find that using a Milne-Eddington solution to describe the local line profile provides a better fit to the LSD profiles in this slowly rotating star, which also impacts the recovered ZDI field distribution. We also introduce a fit-stopping criterion based on the information content (entropy) of the ZDI maps solution set. The recovered magnetic field maps show a strong (+90 G) ring-like azimuthal field distribution and a complex radial field dominating at mid latitudes (∼45 degrees). Similar magnetic field maps are recovered from data acquired five months apart. Future work will investigate how this surface magnetic field distribution impacts the coronal magnetic field and extended environment around this planet-hosting star.

HIP 11915b: A Jupiter Analog Around a Solar Twin in a 3600 day Orbit

The Solar Twin Planet Search II. A Jupiter twin around a solar twin

Authors:

Bedell et al

Abstract:

Through our HARPS radial velocity survey for planets around solar twin stars, we have identified a promising Jupiter twin candidate around the star HIP11915. We characterize this Keplerian signal and investigate its potential origins in stellar activity. Our analysis indicates that HIP11915 hosts a Jupiter-mass planet with a 3600-day orbital period and low eccentricity. Although we cannot definitively rule out an activity cycle interpretation, we find that a planet interpretation is more likely based on a joint analysis of RV and activity index data. The challenges of long-period radial velocity signals addressed in this paper are critical for the ongoing discovery of Jupiter-like exoplanets. If planetary in nature, the signal investigated here represents a very close analog to the solar system in terms of both Sun-like host star and Jupiter-like planet.

Long-term Resonances Between two Gas Giant Exoplanets

Long-term Resonances between Two Jovian Exoplanets

Author:

Horedt

Abstract:

Within the plane planetary problem we present two new approaches for the determination of purely resonant eccentricity and semimajor axis variations in terms of simple, closed algebraic relationships. We consider the motion of two Jovian exoplanets in 2:1, 3:1, and 7:4 resonance. Even with initial eccentricities of 0.05, we have found two numerical examples of purely resonant motion of two Jovian exoplanets in 2:1 and 3:1 resonance, fitting throughout the theoretical relationships for over 105 revolutions of the outer exoplanet. The maximum eccentricities of the two Jovian exoplanets are less than 0.15, if the initial ratio of semimajor axes is less than 0.6992 and the initial eccentricities are ≤0.05. During intervals of negligible secular perturbations, the agreement between theoretical and numerical maximum resonant eccentricity variations is generally much better than within a factor of 2. The theoretical and calculated maximum eccentricity of a Plutino in 2:3 resonance with Neptune is greater than 0.053.

Potentially Surprising Irradiated Giant-planet Cloud Precipitate

Giant-planet chemistry: Ammonium hydrosulfide (NH4SH), its IR spectra and thermal and radiolytic stabilities

Authors:

Loeffler et al

Abstract:

Here we present our recent studies of proton-irradiated and unirradiated ammonium hydrosulfide, NH4SH, a compound predicted to be an important tropospheric cloud component of Jupiter and other giant planets. We irradiated both crystalline and amorphous NH4SH at 10–160 K and used IR spectroscopy to observe and identify reaction products in the ice, specifically NH3 and long-chained sulfur-containing ions. Crystalline NH4SH was amorphized during irradiation at all temperatures studied with the rate being the fastest at the lowest temperatures. Irradiation of amorphous NH4SH at ∼10–75 K showed that 60–80% of the NH4+ remained when equilibrium was reached, and that NH4SH destruction rates were relatively constant within this temperature range. Irradiations at higher temperatures produced different dose dependence and were accompanied by pressure outbursts that, in some cases, fractured the ice. The thermal stability of irradiated NH4SH was found to be greater than that of unirradiated NH4SH, suggesting that an irradiated giant-planet cloud precipitate can exist at temperatures and altitudes not previously considered.