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An upper limit to the global SO2 abundance on IoAn upper limit to the global abundance of SO2 gas in the atmosphere of Io has been derived from observations of near-UV reflectivity made from earth orbit. Spectra in the range 2900-3100 A were obtained by the long-wavelength spectrograph of the IUE, and compared with the convolved solar spectrum of Broadfoot (1972). From the apparent solar origin of all the spectral features, an upper limit of 0.008 cm atm was calculated for the abundance of SO2, which was confirmed by ratio spectra of Vesta. Discrepancies between the upper limit obtained and the detection of a column abundance of 0.2 cm atm by the Voyager 1 IRIS experiment have a number of possible explanations, the most likely of which is that the SO2 atmosphere in Io is patchy, being confined to regions over solid deposits and volcanic vents.
Document ID
19800052478
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Butterworth, P. S.
(Leicester, University Leicester, United Kingdom)
Caldwell, J.
(Leicester Univ. United Kingdom)
Owen, T.
(Leicester Univ. United Kingdom)
Rivolo, A. R.
(New York, State University Stony Brook, N.Y., United States)
Moore, V.
(New York, State University Stony Brook, N.Y.; University College, London, United Kingdom)
Lane, A. L.
(California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
May 29, 1980
Publication Information
Publication: Nature
Volume: 285
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
80A36648
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-33-015-141
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-5250
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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