Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
May 1977
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1977p%26ss...25..415s&link_type=abstract
Planetary and Space Science, vol. 25, May 1977, p. 415-431. Research supported by the Association of Universities for Research
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
22
Astronomical Models, Hydrogen Clouds, Io, Jupiter Atmosphere, Sodium, Spatial Distribution, Equations Of Motion, Exosphere, Gravitational Fields, Jacobi Integral, Particle Trajectories, Photodecomposition, Planetary Magnetic Fields
Scientific paper
Models are developed to describe the spatial distribution of gases emitted by Io and are applied to recent observations which indicate extensive gas clouds of hydrogen and sodium in orbit around Jupiter. Hydrogen and sodium atoms are emitted from Io with velocities in the range from 2 to 3 km/sec, with fluxes of about 10 billion and 100 million per sq cm/sec for hydrogen and sodium, respectively. Hydrogen atoms may be formed by photodecomposition of gases such as NH3 or H2S released from the satellite surface and may escape thermally from an exosphere whose temperature is about 500 K. Sodium may be ejected from the surface by energetic particles or by ultraviolet radiation, and it appears that a nonthermal mechanism drawing energy from Jupiter's magnetic field is required in order to account for its release to space.
McElroy Michael B.
Smyth William H.
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