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Sulfuric acid on Europa and the radiolytic sulfur cycleA comparison of laboratory spectra with Galileo data indicates that hydrated sulfuric acid is present and is a major component of Europa's surface. In addition, this moon's visually dark surface material, which spatially correlates with the sulfuric acid concentration, is identified as radiolytically altered sulfur polymers. Radiolysis of the surface by magnetospheric plasma bombardment continuously cycles sulfur between three forms: sulfuric acid, sulfur dioxide, and sulfur polymers, with sulfuric acid being about 50 times as abundant as the other forms. Enhanced sulfuric acid concentrations are found in Europa's geologically young terrains, suggesting that low-temperature, liquid sulfuric acid may influence geological processes.
Document ID
20040141810
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Carlson, R. W.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena CA United States)
Johnson, R. E.
Anderson, M. S.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1999
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 286
Issue: 5437
ISSN: 0036-8075
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
unmanned
Galileo Project
Flight Experiment
long duration

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