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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 325 records · Page 18
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NASA NTRS1980

Near-surface flow of volcanic gases on Io

Significant near-surface flow of gas several hundred kilometers from Pele (Plume 1) on Io is indicated by a series of bright, elongate albedo markings. Particles produced at small, local vents are apparently carried as much as 70 km farther 'downwind' from Pele. The gas densities and velocities necessary to suspend 0.1 to 10 micron particles at such a distance imply mass flow rates of 10 to the 7th - 10 to the 9th g/sec. Such flow rates are consistent with other estimates of mass transport by the plume. The large flow rates so far from the source allow an estimate of the rate of resurfacing of Io by lava flows and pyroclastics that is independent of estimates based on meteorite flux or on the amount of solids carried within the plumes themselves.

Lee, S. W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Joule heating of Io's ionosphere by unipolar induction currents

Electrical induction in Io's ionosphere, due to the corotating plasma bound to the Jovian magnetosphere, is one possible source for the attainment of the high temperatures suggested by the large scale height of Io's ionosphere. Unipolar induction models are constructed to calculate ionospheric joule heating numerically, whose heating rates lie between 10 to the -9th and 10 to the -8th W/cu m. The binding and coupling of the ionosphere is due to the dense, and possibly ionized, neutral SO2 atmosphere, and there appears to be no need to postulate the existence of an intrinsic Ionian magnetic field in order to retain the observed ionnosphere.

Herbert, F.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Io's sodium emission cloud and the Voyager 1 encounter

Monitoring of Io's neutral sodium emission cloud, monitored from two earth observatories during the period of the Voyager 1 encounter, demonstrated that the behavior of the cloud is complex; displaying a variety of changes, both systematic and secular, which can have both time and spatial dependencies while also possessing some characteristics of stability. Dynamic models of the sodium cloud employing Voyager 1 plasma data provide a reasonable fit to the encounter images of one of the observatories. The modeling assumptions of anisotropic ejection of neutral sodium atoms from the leading, inner hemisphere of Io, with a velocity distribution characteristic of sputtering, adequately explain the overall intensity distribution of the 'near cloud'.

Goldberg, B. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

IO - Could SO2 condensation/sublimation cause the sometimes reported post-eclipse brightening

It is shown that each of the three quantifiable brightening characteristics (i.e., amplitude, time-scale /half-life/, and temporal variability) suggests that brightening of Io may be due to condensation and sublimation of SO2 frost. This is concentrated within a region that encompasses both the subsolar points at the time of entrance into and emergence from eclipse, and volcanic sources. Qualitatively and intuitively, an SO2 frost hypothesis is found to provide good possibilities for explaining any variations in Io's ability to brighten, which may occur on a time scale of years.

Fanale, F. P.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Ultraviolet observations of the Io torus from the IUE observatory

The short wavelength spectrograph on the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) has been used to obtain 11 A resolution spectra of the Io torus from 1175-1950 A. The four spectra, obtained in the springs of 1979 and 1980, show emissions (about 40R) of S II A1256A and S III A1199A. An unidentified feature is also present at 1729 A; a tentative identification as an intercombination line of S III is proposed. Weak features, probably due to O III A1664A and S IV A1406A, appear in some of the spectra. Abundances of the ions are determined from the brightnesses of the observed features. Upper limits are also set for the abundances of a number of ionic and neutral species. An observation of Io itself does not show any additional or enhanced spectral features, permitting upper limits to be set on the injection rate for a number of species.

Moos, H. W.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Atomic clouds as distributed sources for the Io plasma torus

Several recent developments have implications for the neutral particle environment of Jupiter. Very hot sulfur ions have been detected in the Io torus with gyrospeeds comparable to the corotation speed, a phenomenon that would result from a neutral sulfur cloud. Current evidence supports the hypothesis that extensive neutral clouds of oxygen and sulfur exist in the Jupiter magnetosphere and that they are important sources of ions and energy for the Io torus.

Brown, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A theory of the Io phase asymmetry of the Jovian decametric radiation

An explanation of an asymmetry in the occurrence probability of the Io-dependent Jovian decametric radiation is proposed. Io generates stronger Alfven waves toward the south when it is in the northern part of the torus. This wave then generates decametric radiation in the northern ionosphere after it reflects in the southern ionosphere. The asymmetry then results from computing the propagation time of the alfven wave along this trajectory. The ray paths of the decameter radiation are calculated using a three dimensional ray tracing program in the Jovian ionosphere. Variations in the expected probability plots are computer for two models of the Jovian ionosphere and global magnetic field, as well as for several choices of the ratio of the radiated frequency to the X-mode cutoff frequency.

Hashimoto, K.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Dispersive Doppler measurement of the electron content of the torus of Io

As Voyager 1 made its swing-by of Io, it passed through and behind the satellite's plasma torus. The phase paths of the coherent 13 cm and 3.6-cm wavelength signals transmitted from the spacecraft were shortened differentially by the plasma, resulting in the observation of a dispersive Doppler signature in the signals received at the NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory (deep space network) stations. Ray path integration through three different models of the electron distribution of the torus of Io (Warwick et al. 1979; Birmingham et al. 1981; Bagenal et al., 1981) have been performed. The results of the integrations are compared with the dispersive Doppler data.

Levy, G. S.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Plasma observations of the Alfven wave generated by Io

The positive ion measurements obtained near Io by the plasma instrument on board Voyager 1 are described. The measurements, which are found to be consistent with the predicted flow field, are seen as lending further support to the Alfven wave interpretation of the Io-associated perturbations.

Belcher, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Effects of Io ejecta on Europa

The effects of plasma ejected from Io on the nature and evolution of the surface of Europa and on the relative importance of the roles played by the two satellites in the Jupiter magnetosphere are examined. Observations of an ultraviolet absorption feature on the trailing side of Europa are interpreted as due to an equilibrium column density of SO2 in a steady-state model of the implantation of iogenic ions into the surface of Europa and their subsequent sputtering. The observed sulfur column density of 2 x 10 to the 16th/sq cm implies a slow loss of material from Europa, mainly water ice, and indicates that the spectrum of particles sputtered is soft. Considerations of the comparative roles of corotating and energetic heavy ions are shown to suggest that the implantation and sputtering is primarily the result of the proton and light ion component of the plasma. The weakness of Europa as a plasma source resulting from the soft sputtered particle spectrum thus leads to the dominance of Io in contributing to the magnetospheric plasma.

Eviatar, A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Jupiter and Io - A binary magnetosphere

A qualitative assessment is presented of Voyager 1 and 2 data analysis and theoretical interpretation, regarding the Io torus and Jovian aurora, dominant magnetospheric components, plasma waves and radio emissions, with emphasis on the difficulty of accounting for either the Jupiter aurora or Io torus EUV emission luminosities in energetic terms. Jupiter's middle atmosphere is also considered, with attention to observations of corotating ions, their ambiguities and their implications. After a discussion of the question of Jupiter's interaction with the solar wind, as manifested by its magnetic tail, terrestrial magnetospherics are invoked in the construction of a tentative unification of observed phenomena which is within the latitude afforded by the current state of data reduction.

Scarf, F. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

An Io thermal model with intermittent volcanism

Observations have indicated that heat flow out of Io at present may be several times greater than the heat input from enhanced tidal heating; this may indicate that the observed heat flow is intermittent, rather than continuous. A two-dimensional time-dependent thermal model of Io was constructed to examine the relationship between enhanced tidal heating, heat flow within the body, and surface volcanism. From the models one can conclude that (1) a simple homogeneous body cannot maintain enhanced tidal heating in a thin crust, but such heating is possible if the crust contains an insulating layer, as of sulfur; (2) this sulfur layer will be subject to melting by heat from the interior, resulting in hotspots which can expel heat much more rapidly than tidal heating inputs it; and (3) the location of these hotspots will vary in time and space; they can appear anywhere on the surface, even if tidal heating is concentrated at the poles, and they seem to occur roughly 10% of the time.

Consolmagno, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Io - Geochemistry of sulfur

The evidence from Voyager imaging, Earth-based spectral reflectivity studies, and thermal emission measurements combine to suggest an extremely fresh, volcanically recycled sulfur-rich crust for Io, with very shallow large-scale melting. Two present styles of volcanism are possible, depending on the thickness of local deposits of sulfur: shallow liquid sulfur magma generation with quiescent flooding, and high-temperature volcanism with violet eruption of a sulfur-iron magma driven by SO2. Evolutionary considerations preclude direct derivation of Io's lithosphere from any metal-bearing chondritic source material. Metal-free C3V- or C2M-type parent material of either primary or secondary origin is the most plausible direct antecedent of the present sulfur-rich crust. Sulfates are almost certainly important constituents of the mantle, and can participate in the recycling of reduced, dense sulfide species to prevent total extraction of sulfur into the core.

Lewis, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1982

On the structure of the Io Torus

Since the plasma flow near Io is reduced, neutrals originating in charge exchange are not energetic enough to leave the Jovian system and are therefore distributed over an extensive region, as indicated by the sodium cloud. New ions subsequently created in the distributed neutral atomic cloud as a result of charge exchange or electron impact ionization are picked up by the corotating magnetic field, and the radial current driven by the pickup process cannot close in the Io torus, so that it must instead be connected to the planetary ionosphere by field-aligned currents. These field-aligned currents will flow away from the equator at the outer edge of the neutral cloud, and towards it at the inner edge. It is found that the Jovian ionospheric photoelectrons also cannot supply the current flowing away from the equator, so that torus ions accelerated by a parallel electric field could be involved. The parallel potential drop is large enough to push the torus into the Jovian atmosphere, explaining both the sharp, discontinuous change of flux tube content and ion temperature at L equals 5.6, as well as the generation of Auroral-type hiss at that point.

Goertz, C. K.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Erosion of frozen sulfur dioxide by ion bombardment - Applications to Io

The erosion of frozen SO2 due to bombardment by both light and heavy ions (He and F) was measured for bombarding energies of 0.08 to 1.3 MeV/amu. The number of SO2 molecules ejected from the target per incident ion (i.e., the sputtering yield) was 50 for 1.5 MeV He ions and 7300 for 6 MeV F ions. Ion bombardment followed by heating produced an oxygen/sulfur residue which was much more stable against subsequent ion bombardment than the initial frozen SO2. The erosion rate of SO2 frost on Jupiter's moon Io depends strongly on the elemental composition and energy spectra of the magnetospheric ion flux which bombards the surface. The combined effects of ion bombardment and heating which produced residues on the target substrates may also occur on Io from magnetospheric ion bombardment and heating by volcanism. The experimental results compare favorably with a new model of the sputtering process which considers the energy loss of the incident ion to electronic excitation in the target.

Melcher, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Volcanic eruptions on Io - Implications for surface evolution and mass loss

Active volcanism on Io results in a continual resurfacing of the satellite. Analysis of required burial rates to erase impact craters, the mass production in the observed plumes, and the energy requirements for the volcanic activity suggest resurfacing rates of 0.001 to 10 cm/yr in recent geologic time. If this rate is typical of the last 4.5 Gyr, then extensive recycling of the upper crust and mantle must have occurred. The currently estimated loss rate of S, O, and Na from Io into the magnetosphere corresponds to only a small fraction of the resurfacing rate and should not have resulted in either extensive erosion or total depletion of any of the escaping species.

Johnson, T. V.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The atmospheres of Io and other satellites

Voyager measurements of gaseous SO2 in a hot spot region and of ions of sulfur, oxygen, and SO2(+) in the plasma torus, combined with the groundbased measurements of SO2 frost on the surface, indicate that SO2 is perhaps the dominant constituent of Io's atmosphere. Indeed the ionosphere of Io can be sustained by a pure SO2 atmosphere in thermal equilibrium with the surface. Upper limits on common volatiles H2O, CO2, NH3, and CH4 and exceedingly small, although S2 and Ar may still be present. Photochemistry of SO2 could lead to O2 as the major gas on the night side. Reasonable processes for loss to the torus include thermal escape, sputtering, and sweep-up of ions. The symmetry of the sodium cloud between eastern and western elongation is difficult to reconcile with any substantial, diurnally varying atmosphere. Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto may have oxygen atmospheres resulting from photolysis of water vapor. A pressure of approximately 10 to the -6th microbar is predicted, consistent with the Voyager upper limit for Ganymede. A much higher pressure might be present if the water vapor pressure is increased by a low albedo (Callisto) or sputtering (Europa).

Kumar, S.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Charge exchange in the Io torus and exosphere

Charge-exchange cross sections and their velocity dependence have been estimated for the most important reactions in the Io torus and exosphere. The methods used for calculating the cross sections are given and discussed in some detail. For symmetric-resonant single and double charge exchange, the cross sections are slowly varying functions of velocity. For inelastic charge-exchange collisions, the transition probabilities into a given final state can depend critically on velocity. Models are described which can be used to estimate both the most rapid charge-exchange processes and those states which play an important role. Calculated cross sections are used to obtain reaction rates as a function of radial position, demonstrating the importance of charge exchange in the inner torus. Charge-exchange reactions of torus ions with molecular species in Io's exosphere may yield a net supply of neutrals and plasma to the torus.

Johnson, R. E.↗