Computer Science
Scientific paper
Jul 1996
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1996hst..prop.6725m&link_type=abstract
HST Proposal ID #6725
Computer Science
Hst Proposal Id #6725 Solar System
Scientific paper
We propose to make the first direct, spatially-resolvedmeasurement of SO2 gas directly from a volcanic plume (Pele)on Io. This measurement, combined with a similar measurementfrom regions of the atmosphere not thought to contain a densepatch of SO2 gas, will provide the first direct evidence forwhether Io's SO2 atmosphere is ``patchy." Previous HSTobservations of Io have shown that the region surrounding thevolcano Pele is very unusual: it is very dark in the UV,possibly implying that it is covered by a dense SO2 gaspatch (presumably the volcanic plume), and it has an unusualvisible color, possibly implying that the surface compositionnear Pele is different than elsewhere on the surface of thesatellite. Two interpretations of these observations arepossible: either a large UV-dark patch of SO2 gas is locatedover the volcano, or the surface itself is very dark in theUV, confirming the very unusual nature of the surface nearPele. We propose to obtain a spatially-resolved (0.3''aperture) Faint Object Spectrograph (FOS) spectrum of the Pelevolcano using the G190H grating (~1600--2200Angstrom) coveringthe previously-detected SO2 bands in this wavelength region,to attempt detection of SO2 gas over the volcano. Avaluable scientific result will be obtained with EITHER adetection (confirming a patchy atmosphere, and that the darkUV albedo is due to gas) OR a non-detection (confirming theunusual surface properties of the Pele volcano), which iscurrently impossible with existing
No associations
LandOfFree
Io's SO2 Atmosphere: Patchy or Not? does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Io's SO2 Atmosphere: Patchy or Not?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Io's SO2 Atmosphere: Patchy or Not? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1118266