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NASA NTRS1987

The Galilean satellite geological mapping program, 1986

The Galilean Satellite Geological Mapping Program was established to illuminate detailed geologic relations on the four large satellites of Jupiter. The program involves some 40 investigators from various universities, research institutes, and government offices in the United States, U.K., West Germany, and Italy. A total of 24 researchers was assigned to map 15 quadrangles on Ganymede, 15 to map 6 quadrangles on Io, and 3 to map 2 quadrangles on Europa. Maps of these three bodies are at a scale of 1:5 M except for three on Io that cover selected areas where high-resolution pictures permit compilation at 1:2 and 1:1 M scales. A 1:15,000,000 scale map of Callisto has been assigned; from it, quadrangles containing useful geologic information will be extracted later for mapping at a scale of 1:5,000,000.

Lucchitta, B. K.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Re-Analysis of the Solar Phase Curves of the Icy Galilean Satellites

Re-analysis of the solar phase curves of the icy Galilean satellites demonstrates that the quantitative results are dependent on the single particle scattering function incorporated into the photometric model; however, the qualitative properties are independent. The results presented here show that the general physical characteristics predicted by a Hapke model (B. Hapke, 1986, Icarus 67, 264-280) incorporating a two parameter double Henyey-Greenstein scattering function are similar to the predictions given by the same model incorporating a three parameter double Henyey-Greenstein scattering function as long as the data set being modeled has adequate coverage in phase angle. Conflicting results occur when the large phase angle coverage is inadequate. Analysis of the role of isotropic versus anisotropic multiple scattering shows that for surfaces as bright as Europa the two models predict very similar results over phase angles covered by the data. Differences arise only at those phase angles for which there are no data. The single particle scattering behavior between the leading and trailing hemispheres of Europa and Ganymede is commensurate with magnetospheric alterations of their surfaces. Ion bombardment will produce more forward scattering single scattering functions due to annealing of potential scattering centers within regolith particles (N. J. Sack et al., 1992, Icarus 100, 534-540). Both leading and trailing hemispheres of Europa are consistent with a high porosity model and commensurate with a frost surface. There are no strong differences in predicted porosity between the two hemispheres of Callisto, both are consistent with model porosities midway between that deduced for Europa and the Moon. Surface roughness model estimates predict that surface roughness increases with satellite distance from Jupiter, with lunar surface roughness values falling midway between those measured for Ganymede and Callisto. There is no obvious variation in predicted surface roughness with hemisphere for any of the Galilean satellites.

Domingue, Deborah↗
NASA NTRS1982

Composition of the surfaces of the Galilean satellites

Sulfur chemistry on Io and the surface chemistry of the icy Galilean satellites are discussed in terms of laboratory chemical findings and spectral investigations. Gaseous, liquid, and solid allotropes of sulfur are described and related to spectral data for Io. Compounds of sulfur identified on Io's surface are given and possible mechanisms for their formation are evalutated. Laboratory studies of water frost, ice, and mixtures with other minerals are discussed and their relevance in interpreting infrared spectra of the icy Galilean satellites and the apparent solid water absorption band profiles is shown.

Sill, G. T.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Galilean satellites - 1976 radar results

In addition to a report of radar observations concerning the Galilean satellites made in the fall of 1976, Doppler results are presented from 1975 and January 1976. The primary objectives of the investigation conducted in 1976 are related to a study of each satellite at widely separated orbital phases and a close examination of the polarization of its scattered energy. The investigation included an observation of Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto with the upgraded Arecibo S-band radar system on 11 nights irregularly distributed from 26 October 1976 to 7 December 1976. Several peculiarities revealed by the radar observations of the three outer Galilean satellites are related to large and possibly time-varying albedos, and the unexpected result that the circular polarization transmitted exceeds unity by a substantial amount.

Campbell, D. B.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The sputter-generation of planetary coronae - Galilean satellites of Jupiter

The structure and mechanisms of the sputter-induced coronae surrounding the Galilean satellites of Jupiter are considered. Calculations are presented of the particle flux distributions expected in sputtering by collisional cascade and thermal spike mechanisms, and the coronae produced by the two mechanisms are examined. Consideration is then given to the coronal structures generated by sputtering of the surface of Io by corotating sulphur and oxygen plasma, and the sputtering of ice on the surfaces of the outer Galilean satellites as represented by Europa.

Watson, C. C.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Infrared spectra of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter.

Spectra of the four Galilean satellites from 1 to 4 microns were obtained with a Michelson interferometer. The spectra show that the albedo of Io is quite flat and shows no absorptions in the region observed. Europa and Ganymede have large amounts of water ice on their surface. Callisto shows some faint ice absorptions. Upper limits of 0.5 cm-atm (STP) corresponding to .00000006 atm partial surface pressure were set for CH4 and NH3 on all four satellites.

Fink, U.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Infrared spectra of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter

Spectra of the four Galilean satellites from 1 to 4 microns were obtained with a Michelson interferometer. The spectra show that the albedo of Io is very nearly constant with wavelength; no absorptions are found in the region observed. Europa and Ganymede have large amounts of water ice on their surface. Callisto shows some faint ice absorptions. Upper limits of 0.5 cm-atm (STP) corresponding to 6 x 10 to the minus 8th power atm partial surface pressure were set for CH4 and NH3 on all four satellites.

Fink, U.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Mid-eclipse brightening of the Galilean satellites

Brinkmann (1973) has suggested that the Galilean satellites might briefly manifest a brightening at mid-eclipse due to a concentration of light refracted into the geometric umbra of Jupiter by the atmosphere around the terminator. Results obtained using two different models of the Jovian atmosphere indicate that such a brightening is unlikely even for Callisto due to the probable aerosol concentration in the Jovian atmosphere at the relevant altitudes.

Smith, D. W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Possible flyby measurements of Galilean satellite interior structure

Flyby encounters of the Galilean satellites from a Jupiter orbiter spacecraft could yield information about the second-degree gravity harmonics of these satellites. The expected values of these harmonics have been calculated for a range of plausible interior models in hydrostatic equilibrium. Because the satellites respond to comparable perturbations from rotation and tides, an independent test of hydrostatic equilibrium is feasible. For Io and Ganymede, the expected measurement accuracy from a nominal encounter should make possible an excellent discrimination from the ensemble of interior models. For Europa, a qualitative distinction between near-uniform and centrally condensed models seems feasible. Only for Callisto is the proposed experiment of marginal value.

Hubbard, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Global multispectral mosaics of the icy Galilean satellites

Multispectral mosaics of the three icy Galilean satellites have been produced from low- to moderate-resolution Voyager images. The digital image data have been calibrated using preflight and in-flight calibration data, and reduced to normal albedos for four-color band passes, centered at 0.35, 0.41, 0.48, and 0.59 microns. The individual images have been geometrically corrected, mosaiked, and presented in a normal cylindrical map projection at a uniform scale of 8 km/pixel. Preliminary analysis of the normal albedo data shows that (1) the darkest terrains on the satellites are the dark regions on Callisto, (2) the brightest regions are bright plains regions on Europa and bright, fresh craters on Ganymede, (3) bright craters on Ganymede and its dark, cratered regions are both significantly brighter than comparable terrains on Callisto, and (4) Europa exhibits several distinct spectral units, with regions on the trailing hemisphere having lower relative ultraviolet spectral reflectance than areas on the leading hemisphere. This is consistent with proposals that Io-related plasma impact on Europa's trailing side has altered its optical properties.

Johnson, T. V.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Coordinates of features on the Galilean satellites

The coordinate systems of each of the Galilean satellites are defined and coordinates of features seen in the Voyager pictures of these satellites are presented. The control nets of the satellites were computed by means of single block analytical triangulations. The normal equations were solved by the conjugate iterative method which is convenient and which converges rapidly as the initial estimates of the parameters are very good.

Davies, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Formation of the Galilean satellites in a gaseous nebula

A model for Galilean satellite formation is developed in which the satellites accrete in the presence of a dense, gaseous disk-shaped nebula and rapidly form optically thick, gravitationally bound primordial atmospheres. Partially differentiated structures are obtained for both Ganymede and Callisto, although the amount of partial differentiation of Callisto is small, possibly approaching zero for a narrow size distribution of infalling planetesimals. A nominal nebula of approximately 0.1 Jupiter masses is constructed by employing the likely surface density profiles and existing Jupiter collapse calculations. It is shown that satellites accrete very rapidly (dynamical time scales of 100-10,000 years) and their optically thick gaseous envelopes are unable to eliminate the heat of accretion by radiation. Water-saturated, convective, adiabatic envelopes form, through which planetesimals fall, break up, and partially disseminate their mass. The resulting satellite surface temperatures during accretion are calculated. It is concluded that the extensive differentiation undergone by Ganymede may provide the right environment for subsequent resurfacing, whereas the relative lack of differentiation for Callisto may explain the inferred absence of endogenic tectonism.

Lunine, J. I.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Ultraviolet Surface Properties of the Icy Galilean Satellites from Phase Curve Analysis

In this study, we use ultraviolet observations from the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) and the Galileo Ultraviolet Spectrometer (UVS) to compose the ultraviolet solar phase curves of the icy Galilean satellites. Broadband rotation phase curves from 0.26 to 0.32 microns are constructed in order to examine the rotational behavior of the icy Galilean satellites in the ultraviolet. After normalizing the rotational variations, modeling of the solar phase variations are compared to comparable studies in the visible.

Hendrix, A. R.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Ultraviolet surface properties of the icy galilean satellites from phase curve analysis

In this study, we use ultraviolet observations from the International Utlraviolet Explorer (IUE) and the Galileo Ultraviolet Spectrometer (UVS) to compose the ultraviolet solar phase curves of the icy galilean satellites. Broadband rotation phase curves from 0.26 to 0.32 microns are constructed in order to examine the rotational behavior of the icy Galilean satellites in the ultraviolet. After normalizing the rotational variations, modeling of the solar phase variations are compared to comparable studies in the visible.

International↗