Showing papers by "J. Hunter Waite published in 2015"

Detection of argon in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Abstract: Comets have been considered to be representative of icy planetesimals that may have contributed a significant fraction of the volatile inventory of the terrestrial planets. For example, comets must have brought some water to Earth. However, the magnitude of their contribution is still debated. We report the detection of argon and its relation to the water abundance in the Jupiter family comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko by in situ measurement of the Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis (ROSINA) mass spectrometer aboard the Rosetta spacecraft. Despite the very low intensity of the signal, argon is clearly identified by the exact determination of the mass of the isotope 36 Ar and by the 36 Ar/ 38 Ar ratio. Because of time variability and spatial heterogeneity of the coma, only a range of the relative abundance of argon to water can be given. Nevertheless, this range confirms that comets of the type 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko cannot be the major source of Earth's major volatiles.

Possible evidence for a methane source in Enceladus' ocean

Abstract: The internal ocean of Enceladus can be expected to present conditions favorable to the trapping of volatiles in clathrates. This process could influence the eventual composition of the ocean and therefore of the plumes emitted by the south polar region. Here we used a statistical thermodynamic model to assess which species detected in the plumes by the Cassini-Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer experiment are trapped in clathrates. We treated Enceladus' internal ocean as a terrestrial subglacial lake with a mixture of dissolved volatiles indicated by plume gas measurements. We find that the conditions for clathrate formation are met in this ocean, except above 20km or in hypothetical hot spots. The formation of multiple guest clathrates depletes methane below plume levels, suggesting that clathrates eventually dissociate (releasing methane) in the fissure that connects the ocean to the surface or that another mechanism (such as hydrothermal reactions) is compensating by adding methane into the ocean.

A new upper limit to the field‐aligned potential near Titan

Abstract: Neutral particles dominate regions of the Saturn magnetosphere and locations near several of Saturn's moons. Sunlight ionizes neutrals, producing photoelectrons with characteristic energy spectra. The Cassini plasma spectrometer electron spectrometer has detected photoelectrons throughout these regions, where photoelectrons may be used as tracers of magnetic field morphology. They also enhance plasma escape by setting up an ambipolar electric field, since the relatively energetic electrons move easily along the magnetic field. A similar mechanism is seen in the Earth's polar wind and at Mars and Venus. Here we present a new analysis of Titan photoelectron data, comparing spectra measured in the sunlit ionosphere at ~1.4 Titan radii (RT) and at up to 6.8 RT away. This results in an upper limit on the potential of 2.95 V along magnetic field lines associated with Titan at up to 6.8 RT, which is comparable to some similar estimates for photoelectrons seen in Earth's magnetosphere.

A compact E × B filter: A multi-collector cycloidal focusing mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A compact E × B mass spectrometer is presented. The mass spectrometer presented is termed a "perfect focus" mass spectrometer as the resolution of the device is independent of both the initial direction and energy of the ions (spatial and energy independent). The mass spectrometer is small in size (∼10.7 in.(3)) and weight (∼2 kg), making it an attractive candidate for portability when using small, permanent magnets. A multi-collector Faraday cup design allows for the detection of multiple ion beams in discrete collectors simultaneously; providing the opportunity for isotope ratio monitoring. The mass resolution of the device is around 400 through narrow collector slits and the sensitivity of the device follows expected theoretical calculations of the ion current produced in the electron impact ion source. Example mass spectra obtained from the cycloidal focusing mass spectrometer are presented as well as information on mass discrimination based on instrumental parameters and isotope ratio monitoring of certain ion signals in separate Faraday cups.

Modeling insights into the locations of density enhancements from the Enceladus water vapor jets

Abstract: Monte Carlo modeling of the vapor erupting from Enceladus' south polar region is presented to demonstrate the influence of physical characteristics of the emitted vapor on the distribution of particles at altitude. The modeled sources include localized jets and eruptions distributed along the surface features labeled “tiger stripes.” The modeling reveals that density enhancements are displaced from the source location caused not only by the angle of emission but also by superposition of material from nearby sources. The altitude of the superposition is mass dependent and contributes to differences observed in the mass 28 and mass 44 channels of the Cassini Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) during Enceladus encounters. INMS data are well modeled using only the tiger stripe sources; however, certain regions require additional sources to reproduce some features of the data. In particular, an excess source is required for 44 unified atomic mass unit (u) on the Saturn-facing hemisphere of Baghdad Sulcus. It is apparent in three parallel Cassini flybys. A relative decrease in the source rate is observed for mass 28 u for E14. The more diffuse nature of the 28 u INMS observations compared to the more collimated structure of the 44 u INMS observations is consistent with increased thermal spreading for low-mass constituents of the plume.