Publication Date:
2019-06-27
Description:
The results of laboratory studies of sulfur adsorbates and sublimates are presented to explain the observed spectral reflectance of Io. The hemispherical and bidirectional spectral reflectances of typical sublimate phases of Na2S, NaHS, K2S and mixtures thereof with free sulfur were measured under varied temperature and particle-irradiation conditions. It is found that Na2S, K2S and NaHS have absorption bands at all the key wavelengths of Io's spectrum in the UV and visible ranges, and as a group can account for much of Io's spectral reflectance in the 0.25- to 5.0-micron range. It is also concluded that adsorbed gases, possibly H2S and SO2, believed to be formed by reactions in the sublimate phase, also contribute to the IR spectrum of Io's surface.
Keywords:
LUNAR AND PLANETARY EXPLORATION
Type:
Nature; 280; Aug. 30
Format:
text
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