Journal ArticleDOI
Io on the eve of the galileo mission
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Io, the innermost of Jupiter's large moons, is one of the most unusual objects in the Solar System as discussed by the authors, which produces a global heat flux 40 times the terrestrial value, producing intense volcanic activity and a global resurfacing rate averaging perhaps 1 cm yr−1.Abstract:
▪ Abstract Io, innermost of Jupiter's large moons, is one of the most unusual objects in the Solar System. Tidal heating of the interior produces a global heat flux 40 times the terrestrial value, producing intense volcanic activity and a global resurfacing rate averaging perhaps 1 cm yr−1. The volcanoes may erupt mostly silicate lavas, but the uppermost surface is dominated by sulfur compounds including SO2 frost. The volcanoes and frost support a thin, patchy SO2 atmosphere with peak pressure near 10−8 bars. Self-sustaining bombardment of the surface and atmosphere by Io-derived plasma trapped in Jupiter's magnetosphere causes escape of material from Io (predominantly sulfur, oxygen, and sodium atoms, ions, and molecules) at a rate of about 103 kg s−1. The resulting Jupiter-encircling torus of ionized sulfur and oxygen dominates the Jovian magnetosphere and, together with an extended cloud of neutral sodium, is readily observable from Earth.read more
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Environments, needs and opportunities for future space photovoltaic power generation: A review
TL;DR: In this article, the potential and requirements of photovoltaic arrays to provide energy for more than 30 mission types to explore 14 celestial bodies in our solar system is assessed by reviewing specific constrains of these worlds: solar irradiance levels, mission lifetimes, extreme temperatures and thermal cycling, as well as several specific characteristics such as radiation, chemical compounds, gravity, pressure and dust.
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Near-infrared monitoring of Io and detection of a violent outburst on 29 August 2013
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present initial data from their campaign to monitor Io in the near-infrared, beginning in August 2013, using 3.8-μm adaptive optics imaging at Gemini N and 2.5μm disk-integrated spectroscopy at NASA's IRTF.
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Formation of mountains on Io: Variable volcanism and thermal stresses
TL;DR: McKinnon et al. as discussed by the authors analyzed the tectonic consequences of the heatpipe model in detail, considering both the initial thermal stress state of a basalt or peridotite crust created by heat-pipe volcanism, and relative roles of subsidence stresses (due to burial of preexisting layers) and thermal stresses arising from variable volcanism and changes in crustal (∼lithosphere) thickness.
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On the nature of the λIII brightness asymmetry in the Io torus
TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that the Io torus brightness asymmetry is due to changes in ion temperature, with little or no change in flux tube content, and that small changes in energy sources result in large changes in both ion and electron temperatures and densities.
Volcanic Activity at Tvashtar Catena, Io
TL;DR: Tvashtar Catena (63 N, 120 W) is one of the most interesting features on Io and has exhibited highly variable volcanic activity in a series of observations as discussed by the authors.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI
Extreme ultraviolet observations from Voyager 1 encounter with Jupiter
A. L. Broadfoot,M. J. S. Belton,P. Z. Takacs,Bill R. Sandel,Donald E. Shemansky,Jay B. Holberg,Joseph M. Ajello,Sushil K. Atreya,Thomas M. Donahue,H. W. Moos,Jean-Loup Bertaux,J. E. Blamont,Darrell F. Strobel,John C. McConnell,Alexander Dalgarno,Richard Goody,Michael B. McElroy +16 more
TL;DR: The observed resonance scattering of solar hydrogen Lyman α by the atmosphere of Jupiter and the solar occultation experiment suggest a hot thermosphere (≥ 1000 K) wvith a large atomic hydrogen abundance.
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Melting of Io by Tidal Dissipation
TL;DR: The dissipation of tidal energy in Jupiter's satellite Io is likely to have melted a major fraction of the mass, and consequences of a largely molten interior may be evident in pictures of Io's surface returned by Voyager I.
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Inertial limit on corotation
TL;DR: In this article, the inertial corotation lag is calculated as a function of radial distance in the magnetosphere, the solution being parameterized in terms of the Pedersen conductivity of the atmosphere and the rate at which plasma mass is produced and transported outward.
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Physics of the Jovian Magnetosphere
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors considered the physics of magnetospheric radio emissions, plasma waves in the Jovian magnetosphere, theories of radio emissions and plasma waves, and magnetosphere models.