Erosion of Galilean satellite surfaces by Jovian magnetosphere particles

Computer Science

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

38

Charged Particles, Erosion, Galilean Satellites, Jupiter Atmosphere, Planetary Magnetospheres, Satellite Surfaces, Electrons, Flux (Rate), Ice, Ions, Sputtering, Voyager Project, Water Vapor, Lecp, Low Energy Charged Particle Experiment, Charged Particles, Lempa, Low Energy Magnetosphere Particle Analyzer, Lept, Hydrogen, Atmosphere, Low Energy Particle Telescope, Magnetic Fields, Jupiter, Satellites, Io, Surfaces, Erosion, Magnetosphere, Particles, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto, Ions, Electrons, Flux, Ice, Wa

Scientific paper

The effects on the surfaces of the Galilean satellites Europa, Ganymede and Callisto of impacts by particles of the Jupiter magnetosphere in which they are immersed are estimated. Differential ion fluxes measured by the Voyager low-energy magnetosphere particle analyzer as a function of ion energy were used to calculate ice erosion fluxes for the satellites under the assumption that each is 50% ice covered. Calculations were performed on the basis of laboratory data concerning the ice sputtering coefficients of protons and oxygen ions of various energies. A water erosion rate of greater than 10 to the 10th/sq cm per sec is obtained for Europa, which implies a total erosion over 1 billion years of an ice layer 100 m deep. Atmospheric column densities of the H2O molecules sputtered from the surface but not escaping the satellites are also calculated for the three satellites assuming a sputtered ion temperature of 2000 K, and are found to dominate those produced by sublimation. Finally, estimates are presented of the source and loss processes for an oxygen atmosphere around Ganymede created by sputtering or sublimation.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Erosion of Galilean satellite surfaces by Jovian magnetosphere particles 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 Erosion of Galilean satellite surfaces by Jovian magnetosphere particles, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Erosion of Galilean satellite surfaces by Jovian magnetosphere particles will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1443033

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.