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Radiolysis and Photolysis of Icy Satellite Surfaces: Experiments and TheoryThe transport and exchange of material between bodies in the outer solar system is often facilitated by their exposure to ionizing radiation. With this in mind we review the effects of energetic ions, electrons and UV photons on materials present in the outer solar system. We consider radiolysis, photolysis, and sputtering of low temperature solids. Radiolysis and photolysis are the chemistry that follows the bond breaking and ionization produced by incident radiation, producing, e.g., O2 and H2 from irradiated H2O ice. Sputtering is the ejection of molecules by incident radiation. Both processes are particularly effective on ices in the outer solar system. Materials reviewed include H2O ice, sulfur-containing compounds (such as S02 and S8), carbon~contajning compounds (such as CH4), nitrogen-containing compounds (such as NH3 and N2), and mixtures of those compounds. We also review the effects of ionizing radiation on a mixture of N2 and CH4 gases, as appropriate to Titan's upper atmosphere, where radiolysis and photolysis produce complex organic compounds (tholins).
Document ID
20110013372
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Cassidy, T.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Coll, P.
(Paris XII Univ. Creteil, France)
Raulin, F.
(Paris XII Univ. Creteil, France)
Carlson, R. W.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Hand, K. P.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Johnson, R. E.
(New York Univ. New York, NY, United States)
Loeffler, M. J.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Baragiola, R. A.
(Virginia Univ. Charlottesville, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
February 23, 2010
Publication Information
Publication: Space Science Reviews
Volume: 153
Issue: 4-Jan
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Report/Patent Number
GSFC.JA.4460.2011
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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