The Relationship Between Io's Sodium Clouds and Volcanic Activity on Io

Details The Relationship Between Io's Sodium Clouds and Volcanic Activity on Io The Relationship Between Io's Sodium Clouds and Volcanic Activity on Io

Sep 1999

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1999dps....31.5807m&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #31, #58.07

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

Io's extended sodium clouds are populated by atmospheric sodium atoms whose ultimate source is volcanic activity on Io. Multiple-scale images of sodium emission around Jupiter and accompanying numerical models indicate that the clouds are generated primarily by two atmospheric escape processes on Io: atmospheric sputtering, and dissociation or dissociative recombination of an unknown sodium-bearing molecular pickup ion (NaX+). Atmospheric sputtering produces the "banana" cloud near Io and a diamond-shaped sodium "nebula" which extends out to a few hundred Jovian radii from Jupiter. Dissociation of NaX+ produces the peculiar "stream" feature and a rectangular-shaped nebula. Volcanic activity on Io, as characterized by infrared emission from Io's sub-Jovian hemisphere, appears to affect the relative importance of the two escape processes. Infrared observations, including new data from 1994-1996, show a trend of low volcanic activity when atmospheric sputtering is the major escape process, and above-normal volcanic activity when NaX+ dissociation is occurring at significant rates. Thus, volcanic activity on Io's sub-Jovian hemisphere appears to enhance the escape of NaX+ from Io's atmosphere. This may indicate that either NaX+ or a molecule necessary for its formation is introduced by the eruptions. It is also possible that the eruptions change the structure and/or dynamics of Io's atmosphere so as to affect the chemical formation, escape, or destruction of atmospheric NaX+.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Relationship Between Io's Sodium Clouds and Volcanic Activity on Io 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 The Relationship Between Io's Sodium Clouds and Volcanic Activity on Io, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Relationship Between Io's Sodium Clouds and Volcanic Activity on Io will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1557590