Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Carlson, R. W..
Based on the analysis of Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (NIMS) hyperspectral images of Io that leads to sulfur dioxide distribution maps, we intend to give some insights about different processes occurring throughout the SO2 cycle.
Using Galileo Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (NIMS) and Solid State Imaging Experiment (SSI) data it has been possible to monitor the course of individual eruptions on Io. Analysis of pre-I24 data has been aided by high-resolution data obtained during the I24 and I25 encounters.
A comparison of laboratory spectra with Galileo data indicates that hydrated sulfuric acid is present and is a major component of Europa's surface. In addition, this moon's visually dark surface material, which spatially correlates with the sulfuric acid concentration, is identified as radiolytically altered sulfur polymers. Radiolysis of the surface by magnetospheric plasma bombardment continuously cycles sulfur between three forms: sulfuric acid, sulfur dioxide, and sulfur polymers, with sulfuric acid being about 50 times as abundant as the other forms. Enhanced sulfuric acid concentrations are found in Europa's geologically young terrains, suggesting that low-temperature, liquid sulfuric acid may influence geological processes.
Spatially resolved infrared and ultraviolet wavelength spectra of Europa's leading, anti-jovian quadrant observed from the Galileo spacecraft show absorption features resulting from hydrogen peroxide. Comparisons with laboratory measurements indicate surface hydrogen peroxide concentrations of about 0.13 percent, by number, relative to water ice. The inferred abundance is consistent with radiolytic production of hydrogen peroxide by intense energetic particle bombardment and demonstrates that Europa's surface chemistry is dominated by radiolysis.
An off-limb scan of Callisto was conducted by the Galileo near-infrared mapping spectrometer to search for a carbon dioxide atmosphere. Airglow in the carbon dioxide nu3 band was observed up to 100 kilometers above the surface and indicates the presence of a tenuous carbon dioxide atmosphere with surface pressure of 7.5 x 10(-12) bar and a temperature of about 150 kelvin, close to the surface temperature. A lifetime on the order of 4 years is suggested, based on photoionization and magnetospheric sweeping. Either the atmosphere is transient and was formed recently or some process is currently supplying carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
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The Galileo Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer was used to investigate the distribution and properties of sulfur dioxide over the surface of Io, and qualitative results for the anti-jove hemisphere are presented here.
The fortunate position of the Galileo spacecraft provided us with a unique opportunity to directly observe the Shoemaker-Levy 9 impacts as they occurred on the far side of Jupiter, and we present observations of the G fireball obtained by the Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (NIMS).
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The fortunate position of the Galileo spacecraft provided us with a unique opportunity to directly observe the Shoemaker- Levy 9 impacts as they occurred on the far side of Jupiter, and we present observations of the G fireball obtained by the Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (NTMS). These measurements were performed using 10 spectral bands, 4 representing continua and spanning the wavelength range 1.84 to 4.38 mu. Fireball signals were evident for up to 80 sec, with the time of intensity maxima and duration being greater for longer wavelengths. Color temperatures and effective emitting areas were estimated by fitting blackbody functions at the four continuum wavelengths. Good blackbody fits were found, and their intensities at shorter wavelengths show excellent agreement with the Galileo Photopolarimeter/Radiometer measurements. Temperatures near the beginning are above 3000 K, decreasing to approximately 1000 K after 1 min. The corresponding areas range from 400 to 20,000 sq km. The effective diameter of the luminous fireball shows approximately linear time variation, at least for the first 45 sec. From the temperature-effective diameter relation we find an adiabatic coefficient of lambda = 1.2+/-0.1, much as expected from theoretical considerations. The luminosity, when integrated over the period of observations and assuming a Stephan-Boltzmann radiator, gives an above-cloud radiative energy loss of 0.48+/- 0.13 x 10(exp 25) erg.
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The impact of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 on Jupiter was recorded by near infrared mapping spectrometer (NIMS). Both the initial impact and the fallback of impact ejecta were recorded.
The Galileo spacecraft was situated 1.8 AU from Jupiter, at a phase angle of 51 deg, providing a direct view of the impacts of the comet fragments with the planet. Low resolution infrared spectra in the 1 to 5 micron range were recorded for several of the events, which can be used to study the early evolution of the fireballs. Preliminary analysis of the data received for the G event show an initial fireball temperature of greater than 5000 K and an effective source diameter of less than 10 km. These spectra show absorption by molecular hydrogen and methane which place the upper emitting surface in the stratosphere, above the ammonia cloud level. As time progresses, the fireball cools and the effective diameter of the radiating area increases at roughly 2 km/sec. In 30 seconds, the fireball cools to approximately 1000 k and exhibits a diameter of about 100 km.
The Galileo spacecraft was fortuitously situated for a direct view of the impacts of comet Shoemaker(ka)evy 9 in Jupiter's atmosphere and measurements were recorded by the Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (NIMS) instrument for several of the impact events. Seventeen discrete wavelength channels were used between 0.7 to 5.0 microns, obtained with a time resolution of 5 seconds. Two phases of the impact phenomena are found in the data: the initial fireball, which was evident for one minute, and subsequent fallback of impact ejecta onto the atmosphere, starting six minutes after fireball initiation.
An analysis of thermal profiles and dynamics over a wide range of latitudes for the venusian atmosphere between 70 and 90 km is presented based on high spatial resolution infrared spectra of the night side obtained by the near infrared mapping spectrometer (NIMS) experiment during the Galileo-Venus encounter in February 1990. Using the 4.3-micrometer CO2 absorption band, the temperature profile is retrieved in the 75- to 91-km altitude region over a latitudinal range of -59 deg to +64 deg. Compared to earlier observations from the Pioneer Venus mission, the temperature at 91 km is about 10 K higher and between 74 and 83 km about 3.6 K colder. An equator to pole warming at constant pressure levels is found and implications for the zonal wind profiles are drawn under the assumption that the atmosphere is in cyclostrophic balance in the region of 70 to 90 km. The results are in correspondence with direct wind measurements from ground-based observations at 95 km and 105 km altitude.
The Galileo spacecraft was fortuitously situated for a direct view of the impacts of the fragments of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 in Jupiter's atmosphere. The Galileo Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer instrument observed several of the impact events in several discrete bands and with a temporal resolution of roughly five seconds. This report provides a preliminary description of the fireball phase.
ata from the G and R events of the Shoemaker-Levy 9 impact are given and compared. (preliminary abstract only).