Spectral reflectance of solid sulfur trioxide (0. 25-5. 2 micron) - implications for Jupiter's satellite Io

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1986 · Icarus; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(86)90017-5· OSTI ID:5321982

Nelson, R M; Smythe, W D

Laboratory data on the UV and near-IR spectra of SO3 are compared with spectra obtained for the Jovian moon Io by the Voyager and IUE satellites. The experimental data were taken at wavelengths from 0.25 micron to nearly 6 microns, although only order-of-magnitude estimates could be made of the associated particle sizes. Tests were also performed to identify the spectral characteristics with succeedingly lower concentrations of SO3 relative to SO2, which is apparently abundant on the Io surface. No evidence was found for the presence of solid SO3 in the spectra of Io down to projected concentrations lower than 1 percent. The findings are considered surprising since it is known that particle bombardment will cause SO3 to form in SO2 concentrations. It is expected that SO3 will be detected by the IR mapping instrument to be carried by the Galileo spacecraft. 37 references.

• Research Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
• OSTI ID: 5321982
• Journal Information: Icarus; (United States), Vol. 66
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
JUPITER PLANET
SATELLITES
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
NEAR INFRARED RADIATION
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
SPECTRAL REFLECTANCE
SULFUR OXIDES
ULTRAVIOLET SPECTRA
ATMOSPHERES
CHALCOGENIDES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
INFRARED RADIATION
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANETS
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
640107* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Planetary Phenomena