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

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 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), Journal Name: Icarus; (United States) Vol. 66; ISSN ICRSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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