Studies of proton-irradiated SO2 at low temperatures Implications for Io

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Icarus; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(84)90059-9· OSTI ID:6265663

Moore, M H

The infrared absorption spectrum from 3.3 to 27 microns of SO2 ice films has been measured at 20 and 88 K before and after 1-MeV proton irradiation. The radiation flux was chosen to simulate the estimated flux of Jovian magnetospheric 1-MeV protons incident on Io. After irradiation, SO3 is identified as the dominant molecule synthesized in the SO2 ice. This is also the case after irradiation of composite samples of SO2 with sulfur or disulfites. Darkening was observed in irradiated SO2 ice and in irradiated S8 pellets. Photometric and spectral measurements of the thermoluminescence of irradiated SO2 have been made during warming. The spectrum appears as a broad band with a maximum at 4450 A. Analysis of the luminescence data suggests that at Ionian temperatures irradiated SO2 ice would not be a dominant contributor to posteclipse brightening phenomena. After warming to room temperature, a form of SO3 remains along with a sulfate and S8. Based on these experiments, it is reasonable to propose that small amounts of SO3 may exist on the surface of Io as a result of irradiation synthesis in SO2 frosts. 47 references.

• Research Organization: NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
• OSTI ID: 6265663
• Journal Information: Icarus; (United States), Journal Name: Icarus; (United States) Vol. 59; ISSN ICRSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMISTRY
COLOR
COSMOCHEMISTRY
INFRARED SPECTRA
JUPITER PLANET
LUMINESCENCE
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
ORGANOLEPTIC PROPERTIES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANETS
SATELLITES
SPECTRA
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
THERMOLUMINESCENCE