Ask A Scientist© Astronomy Archive

Author:      benjamin p heroux
I have seen small amounts of clear liquid hydrogen.  However, like water,
does hydrogen in large volumes absorb wavelengths of light like water?  What
"color" is it?  No, this is not really a chemistry question - are the Jovian
pot marks from the July 1994 bombardment black openings to liquid hydrogen? 
Are they black?  Are they of liquid hydrogen?

Response #:  1 of 1
Author:      samuel p bowen
No, I do not think the blemishes are hydrogen.  The data I saw said they
were compounds from the upper atmosphere.  Ammonium compounds I think.  The
hydrogen is supposed to be in the solid part of the planet, which is much
deeper.  Are you referring to the blueness of water when you talk about the
color of water?  Most of that comes from the sky.  It will be exciting to
see what the spectral absorption of the Jovian marks are.