Physics
Scientific paper
Jan 2003
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003natur.421...45l&link_type=abstract
Nature, Volume 421, Issue 6918, pp. 45-47 (2003).
Physics
31
Scientific paper
The atmosphere of Jupiter's satellite Io is extremely tenuous, time variable and spatially heterogeneous. Only a few molecules-SO2, SO and S2-have previously been identified as constituents of this atmosphere, and possible sources include frost sublimation, surface sputtering and active volcanism. Io has been known for almost 30 years to be surrounded by a cloud of Na, which requires an as yet unidentified atmospheric source of sodium. Sodium chloride has been recently proposed as an important atmospheric constituent, based on the detection of chlorine in Io's plasma torus and models of Io's volcanic gases . Here we report the detection of NaCl in Io's atmosphere; it constitutes only ~0.3% when averaged over the entire disk, but is probably restricted to smaller regions than SO2 because of its rapid photolysis and surface condensation. Although the inferred abundance of NaCl in volcanic gases is lower than predicted, those volcanic emissions provide an important source of Na and Cl in Io's neutral clouds and plasma torus.
Lellouch Emmanuel
Moses Julianne I.
Paubert Gabriel
Schneider Nicholas M.
Strobel Darrell F.
No associations
LandOfFree
Volcanically emitted sodium chloride as a source for Io's neutral clouds and plasma torus 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 Volcanically emitted sodium chloride as a source for Io's neutral clouds and plasma torus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Volcanically emitted sodium chloride as a source for Io's neutral clouds and plasma torus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1320350