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Observations with the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) during Cassini's flyby of Jupiter
- Source :
-
ICARUS . Aug2003, Vol. 164 Issue 2, p461. 10p. - Publication Year :
- 2003
-
Abstract
- The Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) is an imaging spectrometer covering the wavelength range 0.3–5.2 μm in 352 spectral channels, with a nominal instantaneous field of view of 0.5 mrad. The Cassini flyby of Jupiter represented a unique opportunity to accomplish two important goals: scientific observations of the jovian system and functional tests of the VIMS instrument under conditions similar to those expected to obtain during Cassini''s 4-year tour of the saturnian system. Results acquired over a complete range of visual to near-infrared wavelengths from 0.3 to 5.2 μm are presented. First detections include methane fluorescence on Jupiter, a surprisingly high opposition surge on Europa, the first visual-near-IR spectra of Himalia and Jupiter''s optically-thin ring system, and the first near-infrared observations of the rings over an extensive range of phase angles (0–120°). Similarities in the center-to-limb profiles of H<f>+3</f> and CH4 emissions indicate that the H<f>+3</f> ionospheric density is solar-controlled outside of the auroral regions. The existence of jovian NH3 absorption at 0.93 μm is confirmed. Himalia has a slightly reddish spectrum, an apparent absorption near 3 μm, and a geometric albedo of <f>0.06±0.01</f> at 2.2 μm (assuming an 85-km radius). If the 3-μm feature in Himalia''s spectrum is eventually confirmed, it would be suggestive of the presence of water in some form, either free, bound, or incorporated in layer-lattice silicates. Finally, a mean ring-particle radius of 10 μm is found to be consistent with Mie-scattering models fit to VIMS near-infrared observations acquired over 0–120° phase angle. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Subjects :
- *JUPITER (Planet)
*ARTIFICIAL satellites
*INFRARED spectra
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00191035
- Volume :
- 164
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- ICARUS
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 10424778
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/S0019-1035(03)00134-9