Infrared observations of eclipses of Io, its thermophysical parameters, and the thermal radiation of the Loki volcano and environs

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Icarus; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(88)90002-4· OSTI ID:6724590

Sinton, W M; Kaminski, C

Observations of Io during eclipses by Jupiter in 1981-1984 are reported. Data obtained at 3.45-30 microns using bolometer system No. 1 on the 3-m IRTF telescope at Mauna Kea are presented in extensive tables and graphs and analyzed by means of least-squares fitting of thermophysical models to the eclipse cooling and heating curves, thermal-radiation calculations for the Io volcanoes, and comparison with Voyager data. Best fits are obtained for a model comprising (1) a bright region with a vertically inhomogeneous surface and (2) a dark vertically homogeneous region with thermal inertia only about 0.1 times that of (1). Little evidence of volcanic-flux variability during the period is found, and the majority (but not all) of the excess thermal IR radiation in the sub-Jovian hemisphere is attributed to the Loki volcano and its lava lake. 35 references.

• Research Organization: Hawaii Univ., Honolulu (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6724590
• Journal Information: Icarus; (United States), Journal Name: Icarus; (United States) Vol. 75; ISSN ICRSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BOLOMETERS
ECLIPSE
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
INFRARED RADIATION
JUPITER PLANET
LAVA
LEAST SQUARE FIT
MAXIMUM-LIKELIHOOD FIT
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANETS
RADIATIONS
SATELLITES
SPACE VEHICLES
THERMAL RADIATION
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
VEHICLES
VOLCANOES
VOYAGER SPACE PROBES