Precipitation of energetic electrons in Io's atmosphere: production of UV emissions

Michael, Marykutty ; Bhardwaj, Anil (2000) Precipitation of energetic electrons in Io's atmosphere: production of UV emissions Advances in Space Research, 26 (10). pp. 1519-1524. ISSN 0273-1177

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Official URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S...

Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0273-1177(00)00092-2

Abstract

Recent observations of Io by Galileo spacecraft showed the presence of a dense ionosphere, which is identified by a cold dense plasma that is at rest with respect to Io, and a tentative possibility of an intrinsic magnetic field. Also, there are measurements of intense magnetic field-aligned energetic bidirectional electron beams of tens of keV in the wake region of Io. These energetic electrons may enter into the atmosphere of Io, where they can degrade their energy via collisions with the neutral atmospheric gases. A Monte Carlo model has been generated to study the spatial degradation of electrons of energy ≤ 10 keV in the SO2-dominated atmosphere of Io. This model is employed to study the excitation of Io's atmosphere. The intensities of neutral atomic oxygen (OI) and sulfur (SI) ultraviolet emissions due to the energetic electron impact on SO2 are calculated and are compared with the Hubble Space Telescope-observed intensities and the intensities produced due to photoelectron impact excitation.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to Committee on Space Research.
ID Code:63781
Deposited On:03 Oct 2011 13:34
Last Modified:03 Oct 2011 13:34

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