Charge exchange and knock-on processes in the exosphere of Io

Journal Article · Mon Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/160473· OSTI ID:5577178

Ip, W

One direct consequence of magnetospheric interaction of Io is the strong dynamical coupling of its neutral atmosphere with the corotating plasma. The absorption of the thermal ions and the associated neutral injection is an important issue not yet explored. As far as nonthermal escape of the neutral atmosphere is concerned, three processes stand out. That is, apart from sputtering exospheric interactions like atom-ion knock-on collision and charge exchange recombination could be a significant source of the neutral clouds in the Jovian system. Using a current electrodynamic model of Io, both the absorption rate of the corotating thermal plasma and the production rates of new exospheric ions and the fast neutral are considered. It is found that the source strength of the neutral atoms and molecules with speeds approx.100 km s/sup -1/ could amount to 10/sup 26/ s/sup -1/ whereas exospheric neutral emitted at lower speed (approx.10 km s/sup -1/) amounts to 4 x 10/sup 25/ s/sup -1/. The generation of the new ions in connection with the streaming of the magnetospheric plasma around Io could also produce an asymmetric sputtering with a neutral flux of about 10/sup 27/ s/sup -1/ emitted from the region of Io which faces Jupiter. These results may be related to a number of sodium observations.

• Research Organization: Max-Planck Institut fuer Aeronomie; and Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona
• OSTI ID: 5577178
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 262:2; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALKALI METALS
ATMOSPHERES
ATOM COLLISIONS
CHARGE EXCHANGE
COLLISIONS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRODYNAMICS
ELEMENTS
EMISSION
ION COLLISIONS
ION-ATOM COLLISIONS
JUPITER PLANET
METALS
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETARY MAGNETOSPHERES
PLANETS
PLASMA
SODIUM
SPUTTERING