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Bringing the Visible Universe into Focus with Robo-AO
Published on: February 12, 2013
Io's atmospheric response to eclipse: UV aurorae observations.
K D Retherford1, J R Spencer, S A Stern
1Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78228, USA. KRetherford@swri.edu
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|October 13, 2007
Summary
Jupiter's moon Io's auroral brightness and morphology were studied using the New Horizons spacecraft. Volcanoes contribute 1-3% to Io's dayside atmosphere, influencing its interaction with Jupiter's magnetosphere.
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Space Physics
- Astrophysics
Background:
- Io, Jupiter's volcanic moon, possesses a tenuous atmosphere and interacts dynamically with Jupiter's magnetosphere.
- Auroral emissions on Io provide insights into atmospheric composition and magnetospheric interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relative contributions of volcanic activity and sublimation to Io's atmosphere.
- To analyze Io's auroral emissions during eclipse to understand atmospheric density variations.
- To determine the influence of volcanic plumes on Io's electrodynamic interaction with Jupiter's magnetosphere.
Main Methods:
- Utilized New Horizons (NH) Alice ultraviolet spectroscopy during four eclipse observations of Io in spring 2007.
- Correlated NH ultraviolet data with concurrent Hubble Space Telescope ultraviolet imaging.
- Compared observational data with detailed simulations of Io's auroral emissions.
Main Results:
- Auroral brightness and morphology varied significantly after eclipse ingress and egress, indicating shifts in atmospheric source contributions.
- Observed brightness differences at various geometries suggest a substantial density disparity between Io's dayside and nightside atmospheres.
- Far-ultraviolet aurora morphology highlighted the impact of volcanic plumes on Io's electrodynamic coupling with Jupiter's magnetosphere.
Conclusions:
- Volcanic sources are estimated to supply 1 to 3% of Io's dayside atmosphere.
- Atmospheric density shows a dramatic difference between Io's dayside and nightside.
- Io's plumes play a crucial role in its magnetospheric interactions.
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