The Jet Propulsion Laboratory Submillimeter, Millimeter and Microwave Spectral Line Catalog
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Delitsky, M. L.
Publications and source records attributed to Delitsky, M. L..
Radio range measurements of coronal electron densities at 13 and 3.6 centimeter wavelengths during the 1988 solar conjunction of Voyager 2
Radio range measurements of total solar plasma delay obtained during the solar conjunction of the Voyager 2 spacecraft in December 1988, which occurred near solar maximum activity in the 11 yr cycle are reported. The radio range measurements were generated by the Deep Space Network at two wavelengths on the downlink from the spacecraft: 3.6 and 13 cm. A direct measurement of the integrated electron density along the ray path between the earth stations and the spacecraft was obtained by differencing the range at the two wavelengths. Coronal electron density profiles have been derived during ingress and egress of the ray path, which approached the sun to within 5 solar radii. At 10 solar radii, the derived density profiles yield 34079 + or - 611/cu cm on ingress and 49688 + or - 983/cu cm on egress. These density levels are significantly higher than observed near previous solar maxima.
Krisher, T. P.↗
The Triton torus revisited
Prior to the Voyager encounter with Neptune, Delitsky et al. (1989) predicted that a torus of ions emanating from Triton would be discovered. These predictions are reexamined in light of the Voyager results. Sputtering of Triton's atmosphere can produce the heavy ion densities inferred at Triton's orbit by the Voyager plasma experiment if the ion residence time is about 30 days. The torus is found to be longitudinally asymmetric near Triton, with peak densities at longitudes of 170 and 350 deg. The total nitrogen flux due to sputtering is about 2 x 10 to the 21st/s. The consequences of larger escape fluxes of both N2 and H2 are investigated; it is difficult to reconcile large escape fluxes with the plasma and ultraviolet spectrometer observations.
Richardson, John D.↗
Chemical processes in Triton's atmosphere and surface
The Neptune moon Triton may have an appreciable atmosphere; the preliminary calculations of Delitsky (1983) have suggested that there should be a significant resultant chemistry in a possible N2 ocean with dissolved CH4, given charged-particle radiolysis of gaseous mixtures and gamma radiolysis of N2-CH4 solutions. The latter will yield substantial quantities of organic products which will be partially soluble in any N2-CH4 liquid present. Attention is presently given to the energy sources available for Triton, in order to estimate rates of synthesis and ascertain the possible history of such simple and complex organic products on Triton's surface.
Delitsky, M. L.↗