Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Oct 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010dps....42.2605h&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #42, #26.05; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 42, p.1025
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
Galileo's Near-Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (NIMS) has revealed the surface of Europa to be mostly water ice. The non-icy spectra have been compared to those of various hydrated minerals, suggesting that the non-ice material has a heavily hydrated salt component. However, many relevant laboratory spectra are still not available, especially at the low temperatures and pressures of Europa. In particular, chlorides are predicted to exist in the interior, and if the non-ice material is of an endogenic source, hydrated chlorides might be present on the surface. Oxidation of chlorides would result in chlorates (ClO3-) and/or perchlorates (ClO4-) as well. Both chlorates and perchlorates would lower the freezing point of water significantly (down to 205 K in the case of Mg(ClO4)2), adding new constraints to the arguments for a liquid layer below the surface.
Using an environmental chamber to create the relevant pressures and temperatures of Europa, we have acquired new spectra of some of these hydrated salts, specifically MgCl2, Mg(ClO3)2, NaClO4 and Mg(ClO4)2. These materials exhibit spectral features similar to those seen on NIMS observations of Europa's non-icy terrains. We will compare these spectra to those of water ice, hydrated sulfates, and the data. Preliminary analysis suggests that chlorate hydrates may contribute to the spectral signature of Europa's surface deposits.
Dalton B. III J.
Hanley Jennifer
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