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Plasma Production by Meteoroid ImpactMaterial ejected from the surfaces of satellites in the outer solar system plays an important role in the magnetospheres of the outer planets, and may dominate the mass loading, as in the vicinity of the Jovian satellite Io. At least four potential ejection mechanisms can be identified - intrinsic geologic activity, thermal sublimation, sputtering, and micrometeoroid impact vaporization. On all the icy satellites, except possibly Enceladus, sputtering and impact vaporization are the only two potentially important sources of magnetospheric plasma. Sputtering was shown to be an important mass source at both Jupiter and Saturn. The impact mechanism as a plasma source is assessed.
Document ID
19850015181
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other
Authors
Haff, P. K.
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Eviatar, A.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Washington Repts. of Planetary Geol. and Geophys. Program, 1984
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
85N23492
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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