Upper Limits for an Atmosphere on Io.
Abstract
The 14 May 1971 occultation β Scorpi C by Io was successfully observed in ultraviolet light near Kingston, Jamaica. Within the limits established by time resolution and the signal-to-noise ratio, both the disappearance and reappearance were found to be instantaneous. Upper limits for the surface pressure for N 2, CH 4, and H 2 atmospheres are 0.09, 0.13, and 44.ubar, respectively. The corresponding number densities are 6.2 × 10 12, 9.4 × 10 12, and 3.2 × 10 15 cm -3. An isothermal atmosphere at a temperature of 100°K was assumed.
- Publication:
-
Icarus
- Pub Date:
- August 1972
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0019-1035(72)90059-0
- Bibcode:
- 1972Icar...17..218S