On the surface composition of Io

Abstract

The wavelength dependence of the reflectivity of Io indicates the presence of two materials on the surface of this satellite of Jupiter. These materials are sulfur and an unspecified material (R1) which shows a wavelength dependence of its reflectivity for wavelengths from 0.3 to 1.0 micron similar to the non-H2O frost spectrum of the rings of Saturn. A 60/40 admixture of these two spectra matches the observed reflection spectrum of Io from 0.3 to 3.0 microns, if the spectrum of R1 is featureless for wavelengths above 1 micron. Sulfur will give rise to a posteclipse brightening. The variation with wavelength of the temperature dependence of the reflectivity of sulfur will allow an observational confirmation of the presence of sulfur on Io. The material R1 should show a large geometrical albedo. The translucency of sulfur is consistent with the polarization-phase curve of Io. The material R1 is also required to be translucent.