Preliminary results on the atmospheres of Io and Jupiter from the Pioneer 10 S-band occultation experiment

Journal Article · Fri Jan 25 04:00:00 EDT 1974 · Science, v. 183, no. 4122, pp. 323-324

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.183.4122.323· OSTI ID:4334966

Kliore, A; Cain, D L; Fjeldbo, G; Seidel, B L

The preliminary analysis of data from the Pioneer 10 S-band radio occultation experiment revealed the presence of an ionosphere on the Jovian satellite Io (JI) having an electron density peak of about 6 x 10/sup 4/ electrons per cubic centimeter at an altitude of approximately 60 to 140 kilometers. This suggests the presence of an atmosphere having a surface number density of about 10/sup 10/ to 10/sup 12/ per cubic centimeter, corresponding to an atmospheric surface pressure of between 10/sup -8/ and 10/sup -10/ bar, at or below the detection threshold of the beta Scorpii stellar occultation. A measurement of the atmosphere of Jupiter was obtained down to the level of about 80 millibars, indicating a large temperature increase at about the 20 millibar level, which cannot be explained by the absorption of solar radiation by methane alone and can possibly be due to absorption by particulate matter. (auth)

• Research Organization: California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-29-016700
• OSTI ID: 4334966
• Journal Information: Science, v. 183, no. 4122, pp. 323-324, Journal Name: Science, v. 183, no. 4122, pp. 323-324; ISSN SCIEA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*JUPITER PLANET-- SATELLITES
DENSITY
IONOSPHERE
N56700* --Physics (Astrophysics & Cosmology)--Planetary Phenomena
PIONEER SPACE PROBES
RADIOWAVE RADIATION