1. Far-Ultraviolet Imaging Spectroscopy of Io's Atmosphere with HST/STIS
- Author
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Roesler, F. L., Moos, H. W., Oliversen, R. J., Woodward, R. C. Jr., Retherford, K. D., Scherb, F., McGrath, M. A., Smyth, W. H., Feldman, P. D., and Strobel, D. F.
- Subjects
Io (Satellite) -- Observations ,Satellites -- Jupiter ,Science and technology ,Observations - Abstract
Well-resolved far-utraviolet spectroscopic images of O I, S I, and previously undetected H I Lyman-[Alpha] emission from Io were obtained with the Hubble space telescope imaging spectrograph (STIS). Detected O land S I lines (1250 to 1500 angstroms) have bright equatorial spots (up to 2.5 kilorayleighs) that shift position with jovian magnetic field orientation; Limb glow that is brighter on the hemisphere facing the jovian magnetic equator; and faint diffuse emission extending to ~20 Io radii. All O I and S I features brightened by ~50 percent in the last two images, concurrently with a ground-based observation of increased logenic [O I] 6300-angstrom emission. The H I Lyman-[Alpha] emission, consisting of a small, ~2-kilorayleigh patch near each pole, has a different morphology and time variation., Jupiter's strong magnetic field and volcanism on Io, the closest of the Galilean satellites, combine to create dynamic physical features in the jovian system, including the Io plasma toms: a [...]
- Published
- 1999