Temporal Changes in Europa's UV Spectra
Abstract
Comparisons of International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) observations taken from 1984-1986 with similar observations taken in 1996 show the first detection of temporal changes in the UV spectral reflectance of the Jupiter-facing quadrant of Europa's leading hemisphere. The temporal variations are most pronounced between 15(o) -75(o) longitude. The short time scale in which these temporal changes were produced is commensurate with possible resurfacing events. The central trailing hemisphere region displays a 0.28 mu m SO_2 absorption that has remained constant in relative depth over the past decade to within the instrument detection limits. A new, but currently unidentified, absorption feature at 0.33 mu m is detected on the leading hemisphere.
- Publication:
-
AAS/Division for Planetary Sciences Meeting Abstracts #30
- Pub Date:
- September 1998
- Bibcode:
- 1998DPS....30.3606D