Atmospheric chemistry analyses of Saturn based on Voyager 1 infrared spectral and radiometric data are presented, including characteristics of the planet's rings and of Titan and other satellites. Infrared spectra of Saturn indicate the presence of H2, CH4, NH3, PH3, C2H2, and C2H6, with the possibility of C3H4 and C3H8. The atmospheric thermal structure of the planet shows hemispheric asymmetries that are consistent with seasonally varying insolation response, with an extensive small-scale latitudinal structure. Atmospheric chemistries of Titan, and optical and thermal characteristics for the rings of Saturn, are also given.

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/212/4491/192.full.pdf

Infrared observations of the saturnian system from voyager 1.

We present a nonlinear analytical model of the Alfven current tubes continuing the currents through Io (or rather its ionosphere) generated by the unipolar inductor effect due to Io's motion relative to the magnetospheric plasma. We thereby extend the linear work by Drell et al. (1965) to the fully nonlinear, sub-Alfvenic situation also including flow which is not perpendicular to the background magnetic field. The following principal results have been obtained: (1) The portion of the currents feeding Io is aligned with the Alfven characteristics at an angle θA = tan−1 MA to the magnetic field for the special case of perpendicular flow where MA is the Alfven Mach number. (2) The Alfven tubes act like an external conductance ΣA = 1/(µ0VA(1 + MA² + 2MA sin θ)1/2) where VA is the Alfven speed and θ the angular deviation from perpendicular flow towards the direction of Alfven wave propagation. Hence the Jovian ionospheric conductivity is not necessary for current closure. (3) In addition, the Alfven tubes may be reflected from either the torus boundary or the Jovian ionosphere. The efficiency of the resulting interaction with these boundaries varies with Io position. The interaction is particularly strong at extreme magnetic latitudes, thereby suggesting a mechanism for the Io control of decametric emissions. (4) The reflected Alfven waves may heat both the torus plasma and the Jovian ionosphere as well as produce increased diffusion of high-energy particles in the torus. (5) From the point of view of the electrodynamic interaction, Io is unique among the Jovian satellites for several reasons: these include its ionosphere arising from ionized volcanic gases, a high external Alfvenic conductance ΣA, and a high corotational voltage in addition to the interaction phenomenon with a boundary. (6) We find that Amalthea is probably strongly coupled to Jupiter's ionosphere while the outer Galilean satellites may occasionally experience super-Alfvenic conditions.

/pdf/nonlinear-standing-alfven-wave-current-system-at-io-theory-20pcn7qea2.pdf

Nonlinear standing Alfvén wave current system at Io: Theory

The Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) is a remote-sensing Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) on the Cassini orbiter that measures thermal radiation over two decades in wavenumber, from 10 to 1400 cm− 1 (1 mm to 7μ m), with a spectral resolution that can be set from 0.5 to 15.5 cm− 1. The far infrared portion of the spectrum (10–600 cm− 1) is measured with a polarizing interferometer having thermopile detectors with a common 4-mrad field of view (FOV). The middle infrared portion is measured with a traditional Michelson interferometer having two focal planes (600–1100 cm− 1, 1100–1400 cm− 1). Each focal plane is composed of a 1× 10 array of HgCdTe detectors, each detector having a 0.3-mrad FOV. CIRS observations will provide three-dimensional maps of temperature, gas composition, and aerosols/condensates of the atmospheres of Titan and Saturn with good vertical and horizontal resolution, from deep in their tropospheres to high in their mesospheres. CIRS’s ability to observe atmospheres in the limb-viewing mode (in addition to nadir) offers the opportunity to provide accurate and highly resolved vertical profiles of these atmospheric variables. The ability to observe with high-spectral resolution should facilitate the identification of new constituents. CIRS will also map the thermal and compositional properties of the surfaces of Saturn’s icy satellites. It will similarly map Saturn’s rings, characterizing their dynamical and spatial structure and constraining theories of their formation and evolution. The combination of broad spectral range, programmable spectral resolution, the small detector fields of view, and an orbiting spacecraft platform will allow CIRS to observe the Saturnian system in the thermal infrared at a level of detail not previously achieved.

Exploring The Saturn System In The Thermal Infrared: The Composite Infrared Spectrometer

The details of positive ion measurements made in the inner magnetosphere are discussed. Attention is also given to an analysis of these measurements to obtain plasma composition, flow speeds, and temperatures and to the assumptions made in the analysis. These results for the positive ions are then combined with the direct measurements of plasma electrons between 5.7 and 9 Jupiter radii and with a theoretical distribution of plasma along dipolar magnetic field lines to build a two-dimensional model of the plasma torus.

Direct plasma measurements in the Io torus and inner magnetosphere of Jupiter

The observations of a number of objects by the Voyager EUV instruments are summarized. The summary is considered to demonstrate the wide ranging application of the EUV spectroscopy. It also marks an important step forward in spectrography and emphasizes the continuing importance of the search and discovery nature of spectroscopic techniques.

Overview of the Voyager ultraviolet spectrometry results through Jupiter encounter

The identification of gaseous sulfur dioxide on Io by Voyager 1 is reported, and preliminary upper limits for other atmospheric gases are presented. Averaged spectra taken by the Voyager IRIS experiment in the range of 1,000 to 1,200/cm are interpreted as containing three fundamental sulfur dioxide bands, with intensities most nearly corresponding to an atmospheric model with a sulfur dioxide abundance of 0.2 cm atm. Upper limits for COS, CS2, SO3, H2S, CO2, O3, N2O, H2O, CH4, NH3 and HC1, not detected in the spectra, were calculated on the basis of the radiative transfer equation for temperatures of 130 and 250 K; a depletion of hydrogen, carbon and nitrogen is noted. It is suggested that a SO2 outgassing from a cooling sulfur extrusion is the major source of the observed atmospheric SO2.

F. Raulin

Papers

Identification of gaseous SO2 and new upper limits for other gases on Io