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Electron impact ionization of Io's sodium emission cloudThe geometry of the sodium cloud associated with Io (Jupiter I) indicates that the lifetime of the neutral sodium atoms is an order of magnitude less than the photoionization lifetime. We suggest that ionization by thermal plasma electrons in the Jovian magnetosphere is the dominant Na loss process. Using plasma densities deduced from Pioneer 10 measurements, the lifetime and density distributions are calculated for Na and other species which may be present in the cloud around Io. Electron ionization of Na is found to be an order of magnitude faster than photoionization, in agreement with the lifetime deduced from Na cloud observations.
Document ID
19760027870
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Carlson, R. W.
(Southern California, University Los Angeles, Calif., United States)
Matson, D. L.
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Johnson, T. V.
(California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1975
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 2
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
76A10836
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS7-100
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS2-6558
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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