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Glass on the surfaces of Io and AmaltheaThe results of laboratory tests of the spectral reflectances of sulfur and sulfur-silicate glasses are compared with Voyager UV and IR spectral data of Io and Amalthea. Sulfur glasses, without the S8 allotrope, are formed when molten sulfur is quickly quenched to temperatures below 150 K. The trials involved heating sulfur to temperatures from 430-700 K, then quenching and recording the color that resulted. It was observed that the insulating properties of sulfur are so high that the glasses would probably only form in volcanic plumes, yielding particles in the 10-100 micron diameter range. Fumarole droplets could impact cold ground and leave 1 mm glass particles. Basalt-sulfur specimens heated to 1400 K to melt the basalt, then cooled, produced glasses of a color which matches the color of darker areas detected on Io. The surface colors of Amalthea, although definitely contaminated with particles from Io mass loss, exhibited only a few color matches with the basalt-sulfur glasses. More refined spectra of Amalthea are required if the surface constituents are to be identified.
Document ID
19850053895
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Gradie, J.
(Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Ostro, S. J.
(Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Thomas, P. C.
(Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Veverka, J.
(Cornell University Ithaca, NY, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1984
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids
Volume: 67
ISSN: 0022-3093
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
85A36046
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-193
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7606
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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