Computer Science
Scientific paper
Jul 1994
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1994hst..prop.5376h&link_type=abstract
HST Proposal ID #5376
Computer Science
Hst Proposal Id #5376 Solar System Satellites
Scientific paper
We will use the HST GHRS to search for a molecular oxygen (O2) atmosphere on Jupiter's satellite Europa. The Voyager spacecraft revealed much about Europa's surface characteristics, but failed to perform occultation or airglow observations necessary to constrain its atmosphere. There is observable evidence of energetic particle sputtering on Europa's icy surface, and the sputtered water fragments are thought to reassociate to form molecular hydrogen and oxygen. The oxygen molecules are gravitationally bound to the satellite and could accumulate into a detectable O2 atmosphere. Europa lies in the outer regions of the Io plasma torus, and is subjected to a significant electron flux. If Europa has a tenuous O2 atmosphere, dissociative electron impact excitation would produce significant OI 1356A emission. We will search for this emission using the HST GHRS. The observation will provide the most stringent observational limit on Europa's atmosphere to date, improving the current upper limit by almost two orders of magnitude. Detecting an oxygen atmosphere on Europa would be a significant accomplishment for HST, and would provide invaluable information to use in planning the upcoming Galileo spacecraft encounter with the Jupiter system.
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