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Cruikshank, Dale P.

Publications and source records attributed to Cruikshank, Dale P..

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NASA NTRS1995

Photochemistry of Triton's Atmosphere and Ionosphere

The photochemistry of 32 neutral and 21 ion species in Triton's atmosphere is considered. Parent species N2, CH4, and CO (with a mixing ratio of 3 x 10(exp -4) in our basic model) sublime from the ice with rates of 40, 208, and 0.3 g/sq cm/b.y., respectively. Chemistry below 50 km is driven mostly by photolysis of methane by the solar and interstellar medium Lyman-alpha photons, producing hydrocarbons C2H4, C2H6, and C2H2 which form haze particles with precipitation rates of 135, 28, and 1.3 g/sq cm/b.y., respectively. Some processes are discussed which increase the production of HCN (by an order of magnitude to a value of 29 g/sq cm/b.y.) and involve indirect photolysis of N2 by neutrals. Reanalysis of the measured methane profiles gives an eddy diffusion coefficient K = 4 x 10(exp 3)sq cm/s above the tropopause and a more accurate methane number density near the surface, (3.1 +/- 0.8)x IO(exp 11)/cu cm. Chemistry above 200 km is driven by the solar EUV radiation (lambda less than 1000 A) and by precipitation of magnetospheric electrons with a total energy input of 10(exp 8) W (based on thermal balance calculations). The most abundant photochemical species are N, H2, H, 0, and C. They escape with the total rates of 7.7 x 10(exp 24)/ s, 4.5 x 10(exp 25)/s, 2.4 x 10(exp 25)/s, 4.4 x 10(exp 22)/s, and 1.1 x 10(exp 24), respectively. Atomic species are transported to a region of 50-200 km and drive the chemistry there. Ionospheric chemistry explains the formation of an E region at 150-240 km with HCO(+) as a major ion, and of an F region above 240 km with a peak at 320 km and C(+) as a major ion. The ionosphere above 500 km consists of almost equal densities of C(+) and N(+) ions. The model profiles agree with the measured atomic nitrogen and electron density profiles. A number of other models with varying rate coefficients of some reactions, differing properties of the haze particles (chemically passive or active), etc., were developed. These models show that there are four basic unknown values which have strong impacts on the composition and structure of the atmosphere and ionosphere. These values and their plausible ranges are the CO mixing ratio f(sub co) = 10(exp -4) - 10(exp -3), the magnetospheric electron energy input (1 +/- 0.5) x 10(exp 8) W, the rate coefficient of charge-exchange reaction N2(+) + C(kappa) = 10(exp -11) - 10(exp -10)cu cm/s, and the ion escape velocity upsilon(sub i) approx. equals 150 cm/s.

Krasnopolsky, Vladimir A.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Photochemistry of Triton's Atmosphere and Ionosphere

The photochemistry of 32 neutral and 21 ion species in Triton's atmosphere is considered. Parent species N2, CH4, and CO (with a mixing ratio of 3 x 10(exp -4) in our basic model) sublime from the ice with rates of 40, 208, and 0.3 g/sq cm/b.y., respectively. Chemistry below 50 km is driven mostly by photolysis of methane by the solar and interstellar medium Lyman-alpha photons, producing hydrocarbons C2H4, C2H6, and C2H2 which form haze particles with precipitation rates of 135, 28, and 1.3 g/sq cm/b.y., respectively. Some processes are discussed which increase the production of HCN (by an order of magnitude to a value of 29 g/sq cm/b.y.) and involve indirect photolysis of N2 by neutrals. Reanalysis of the measured methane profiles gives an eddy diffusion coefficient K = 4 x 10(exp 3) sq cm/s above the tropopause and a more accurate methane number density near the surface, (3.1 +/- 0.8) x 10(exp 11)/cc cm. Chemistry above 200 km is driven by the solar EUV radiation (lambda less than 1000 A)) and by precipitation of magnetospheric electrons with a total energy input of 10(exp 8) W (based on thermal balance calculations). The most abundant photochemical species are N, H2, H, O, and C. They escape with the total rates of 7.7 x 10(exp 24)/ s, 4.5 x 10(exp 25)/ s, 2.4 x 10(exp 25)/ s, 4.4 x 10(exp 22)/ s, and 1.1 x 10(exp 24)/ s, respectively. Atomic species are transported to a region of 50-200 km and drive the chemistry there. Iono- spheric chemistry explains the formation of an E region at 150-240 km with HCO(+) as a major ion, and of an F region above 240 km with a peak at 320 km and C(+) as a major ion. The ionosphere above 500 km consists of almost equal densities of C(+) and N(+) ions. The model profiles agree with the measured atomic nitrogen and electron density profiles. A number of other models with varying rate coefficients of some reactions, differing properties of the haze particles (chemically passive or active), etc., were developed. These models show that there are four basic unknown values which have strong impacts on the composition and structure of the atmosphere and ionosphere. These values and their plausible ranges are the CO mixing ratio f(sub co) = 10(exp -4)- 10(exp -3), the magnetospheric electron energy input (1 +/- 0.5) x 10(exp 8) W, the rate coefficient of charge-exchange reaction N2(+) + Ck = 10(exp -11)-10(exp -10)cc cm/s, and the ion escape velocity upselon(sub i) approx. 150 cm/s.

Krasnopolsky, Vladimir A.↗
NASA NTRS1995

The Surface Compositions of Triton, Pluto, and Charon

Neptune's satellite Triton, and the planet-satellite binary Pluto and Charon, are the most distant planetary bodies on which ices have been directly detected. Triton and Pluto have very similar dimensions and mean densities, suggesting a similar or common origin. Through earth-based spectroscopic observations in the near-infrared, solid N2, CH4, and CO have been found on both bodies, with the additional molecule C02 on Triton. N2 dominates both surfaces, although the coverage is not spatially uniform. On Triton, the CH4 and CO are mostly or entirely frozen in the N2 matrix, while CO2 may be spatially segregated. On Pluto, some CH4 and the CO are frozen in the N2 matrix, but there is evidence for additional CH4 in a pure state, perhaps lying as a lag deposit on a subsurface layer of N2. Despite their compositional and dimensional similarities, Pluto and Triton are quite different from one another in detail. Additional hydrocarbons and other volatile ices have been sought spectroscopically but not yet have been detected. The only molecule identified on Pluto's satellite Charon is solid H2O, but the spectroscopic data are of low precision and admit the presence of other ices such as CH4.

Cruikshank, Dale P.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Ices on the Satellites of Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus

Three satellites of Jupiter, seven satellites of Saturn, and five satellites of Uranus show spectroscopic evidence of H2O ice on their surfaces, although other details of their surfaces are highly diverse. The icy surfaces contain contaminants of unknown composition in varying degrees of concentration, resulting in coloration and large differences in albedo. In addition to H2O, Europa has frozen SO2, and Ganymede has O2 in the surface; in both of these cases external causes are implicated in the deposition or formation of these trace components. Variations in ice exposure across the surfaces of the satellites are measured from the spectroscopic signatures. While H2O ice occurs on the surfaces of many satellites, the range of bulk densities of these bodies shows that its contribution to their overall compositions is highly variable from one object to another.

Cruikshank, Dale P.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Other Planetary Systems: The View From Our Neighborhood

The structure and contents of the Solar System offer an initial model for other planetary systems in this and other galaxies. Our knowledge of the bodies in the Solar System and their physical conditions has grown enormously in the three decades of planetary exploration. Parallel to the uncovering of new facts has been a great expansion of our understanding of just how these conditions came to be. Telescopic studies and missions to all the planets (except Pluto) have shown spectacular and unexpected diversity among those planets, their satellites, the asteroids, and the comets. Highlights include the organic-rich crust of comets, volcanic activity on planetary satellites, randomly oriented magnetic fields of the major planets, the existence of a huge population of planetesimals just beyond Neptune, dramatic combinations of exogenic and endogenic forces shaping the solid bodies throughout the Solar System, and much more. Simultaneously, computational, laboratory, and conceptual advances have shown that the Solar System is not fully evolved either dynamically or chemically. The discovery of clearly identified interstellar (presolar) material in the meteorites and comets connects us directly with the matter in the molecular cloud from which the Solar System originated. At the same time, an increased understanding of the chemistry of comets and the impact history of the planets has demonstrated the dependence of the origin and evolution of life on Earth on powerful exogenic factors. This presentation summarizes some of the new knowledge of the Solar System and proposes specific character ist ics that may be observed in (or used as criteria for identification of) extrasolar planetary systems.

Cruikshank, Dale P.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Spectroscopy of Mars form 2.04 to 2.44 micron during the 1993 opposition: Absolute calibration and atmospheric vs mineralogic origin of narrow absorption features

We present moderate-resolution (lambda/delta lambda = 300 to 370) reflectance spectral of Mars from 2.04 to 2.44 microns that were obtained at United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) during the 1993 opposition. Seven narrow absorption features were detected and found to have a Mars origin. By comparison with solar and Mars atmospheric spectra, five of these features were attributed all or in part to Mars atmospheric CO2 or CO (2.052 +/- 0.003, 2.114 +/- 0.002, 2.150 +/- 0.003, 2.331 +/- 0.001, and 2.357 +/- 0.002 microns). Two of the bands (2.331 +/- 0.001 and 2.357 +/- 0.002 micron) appear to have widths and depths that are consistent with additional, nonatmospheric absorptions, although a solar contribution cannot be entirely ruled out. Two other weak bands centered at 2.278 +/- 0.002 and 2.296 +/- 0.002 microns may be at least partially mineralogic in origin. The data provide no conclusive identification of the mineralogy responsible for these absorption features. However, examination of terrestrial spectral libraries and previous mineralogy responsible for these absorption features. However, examination of terrestrial spectral libraires and previous moderate spectral resolution mineral studies indicates that the most likely origin of these features is either (bi)carbonate or (bi)sulfate anions in framework silicates of (Fe, Mg)-OH bonds in sheet silicates. If the bands are caused by phyllosilicate minerals, then an explanation must be found for the extremely narrow widths of the cation-OH features in the Mars spectra as compared to terrestrial minerals.

Bell, James F., III↗
NASA NTRS1994

Infrared spectoscopy of Triton and Pluto ice analogs: The case for saturated hydrocarbons

The infrared transmission spectra and photochemical behavior of various organic compounds isolated in solid N2 ices, appropriate for applications to Triton ad Pluto, are presented. It is shown that excess absorption in the surface spectra of Triton and Pluto, i.e., absorption not explained by present models incorporating molecules already identified on these bodies (N2, CH4, CO, and CO2), that starts near 4450/cm (2.25 microns) and extends to lower frequencies, may be due to alkanes (C(n)H(2n+2)) and related molecules frozen in the nitrogen. Branched and linear alkanes may be responsible. Experiments in which the photochemstry of N2: CH4 and N2: CH4: CO ices was explored demonsrtrate that the surface ices of Triton and Pluto may contain a wide variety of additional species containing H, C, O, and N. Of these, the reactive molecule diazomethane, CH2N2, is particularly important since it may be largely responsible for the synthesis of larger alkanes from CH4 and other small alkanes. Diazomethane would also be expected to drive chemical reactions involving organics in the surface ices of Triton and Pluto toward saturation, i.e., to reduce multiple CC bonds. The positions and intrinsic strengths (A values) of many of the infrared absorption bands of N2 matrix-isolated molecules of relevance to Triton and Pluto have also been determined. These can be used to aid in their search and to place constraints on their abundances.

Bohn, Robert B.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Life from the stars?

Scientists are now seriously considering the possibility that organic matter from interstellar space could have influenced, or even spurred, the origin of life on Earth. Various aspects of chemical evolution are discussed along with possible extraterrestrial sources responsible for contributing to Earth's life-producing, chemical composition. Specific topics covered include the following: interstellar matter, molecular clouds, asteroid dust, organic molecules in our solar system, interplanetary dust and comets, meteoritic composition, and organic-rich solar-system bodies.

Pendleton, Yvonne J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Absolute calibration and atmospheric versus mineralogic origin of absorption features in 2.0 to 2.5 micron Mars spectra obtained during 1993

We obtained new high resolution reflectance spectra of Mars during the 1993 opposition from Mauna Kea Observatory using the UKIRT CGS4 spectrometer. Fifty spectra of 1600-2000 km surface regions and a number of standard star spectra were obtained in the 2.04 to 2.44 micron wavelength region on 4 February 1993 UT. Near-simultaneous observations of bright standard stars were used to perform terrestrial atmospheric corrections and an absolute flux calibration. Using the known magnitude of the stars and assuming blackbody continuum behavior, the flux from Mars could be derived. A radiative transfer model and the HITRAN spectral line data base were used to compute atmospheric transmission spectra for Mars and the Earth in order to simulate the contributions of these atmospheres to our observed data. Also, we examined the ATMOS solar spectrum in the near-IR to try to identify absorption features in the spectrum of the Sun that could be misinterpreted as Mars features. Eleven absorption features were detected in our Mars spectra. Our data provide no conclusive identification of the mineralogy responsible for the absorption features we detected. However, examination of terrestrial spectral libraries and previous high spectral resolution mineral studies indicates that the most likely origin of these features is either CO3(sup 2-), HCO3(-), or HSO4(-) anions in framework silicates or possibly (Fe, Mg)-OH bonds in sheet silicates.

Bell, James F., III↗
NASA NTRS1994

Surface ices in the outer solar system

Planetary volatile inventories are products of several factors: (1) condensation-accretion of pre-planetary material which determines the bulk volatile inventory; (2) energy history of a planet, including timing, causes, and mechanisms of degassing; (3) the volatile sinks, including temporary, long term, and permanent; and (4) external processes operating on the volatile inventory. Information regarding the current surface compositions provide insight into both internal and surface-atmosphere evolutionary history. Our discussion focuses upon the surface composition of outer solar system planets and satellites as determined by spacecraft and telescopic spectral observations. We provide a review and an update of the recent work by Cruikshank and Brown that includes more recent observations and interpretations. In the context of formation and evolution of solar system bodies, the interesting ices typically considered are simple molecules formed from elements having high cosmic abundances. These mainly include ices of H2O, NH3, SO2, H2S, CH4, CO, CO2, and N2. In the solid state, these ices have vibrational spectral features, analogous to their gaseous counterparts but rotational transitions are quenched, that lie in the near- and mid-infrared. The overtone and combination modes, occurring in the visible and near-IR region, are of particular importance as standard observational techniques used to identify these ices rely upon reflected solar energy. Table I summarizes the ices found on various bodies in the outer solar system. H2O is most abundant surface material in the inner and middle regions while more volatile species appear to dominate surfaces in the outermost edge of the outer solar system.

Roush, Ted L.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Search for Outer Satellites of Saturn to V=22.5

A wide-field, prime-focus photographic search of most of the dynamically permitted satellite space of Saturn and Uranus to limiting magnitude 22.5 revealed no new outer satellites. This search is approximately 2.5 mag deeper than previous surveys. For bodies of geometric albedo 0.04, the search would have revealed outer satellites of Saturn with diameter 20 km and greater, and outer satellites of Uranus with diameter 70 km and greater. This work was carried out with the Canada-France-Hawaii 3.6-m telescope on Mauna Kea.

Cruikshank, Dale P.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Light-Hydrocarbon Bearing Solids on Planetesimal 5145 Pholus

Object 5145 Pholus (=1992 AD) is a planetesimal in an orbit that crosses those of Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune (period 92.7 years). It is particularly notable because of its extreme red color, corroborated by several observing teams. A spectrum of Pholus obtained in 1992 shows a strong absorption band with a characteristic shape at 2.27 micrometers, plus a weaker band at 1.7 micrometers. A better spectrum of the 2.0-2.5 micrometer region in 1993 confirms the position and shape of the 2.27-micrometer band. The color and spectral bands are identified with the aliphatic-rich and high H/C organic solid called asphaltite, which in a terrestrial setting originates from thermal processing of products of biological activity. In Pholus, this material is attributed to formation from radiation processing of ices on grains in the interstellar medium. Laboratory spectra of asphaltite and related materials have been published by Moroz et al., while Cloutis showed similar bands in comparable materials and identified them as the overtone and combination bands of C-H stretching and bending modes in CH2 and CH3 groups. Asphaltites, kerites, and anthraxolites are solid non-graphite members of a sequence ranging from oil to graphite; diffuse reflectance spectra of suites of these intermediate materials show color characteristics similar to those of the low-albedo asteroids (C,P,D), although specific identifications have not been made because of the lack of distinct absorption bands in the spectra of most low-albedo solar system bodies. In the case of Pholus, however, the primary band is strong; its wavelength and its shape, plus the match of the extremely red color, leads us to the identification of aliphatic-rich, asphaltite-like organic solid. The C, P, and D-type asteroids vary in degree of "redness", but are all less red than Pholus. Pholus and the Ctype asteroids are the end members of a sequence that represents the radiation processing of hydrocarbons, with Pholus being the least processed. Solar irradiation processes and heating reduce the H/C and aliphatic content of hydrocarbons preserved from the interstellar medium, and in the end produce opaque solids of neutral reflectance, including the kerogens (similar to anthraxolites) found in profusion in the carbonaceous meteorites.

Cruikshank, Dale P.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Light-Hydrocarbon Bearing Solids on Planetesimal 5145 Pholus

Object 5145 Pholus (=1992 AD) is a planetesimal in an orbit that crosses those of Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune (period 92.7 years). It is particularly notable because of its extreme red color, corroborated by several observing teams. A spectrum of Pholus obtained in 1992 shows a strong absorption band with a characteristic shape at 2.27 micron, plus a weaker band at 1.7 microns. A better spectrum of the 2.0-2.5 micron region in 1993 confirms the position and shape of the 2.27 micron band. The color and spectral bands are identified with the aliphatic-rich and high H/C organic solid called asphaltite, which in a terrestrial setting originates from thermal processing of products of biological activity. In Pholus, this material is attributed to formation from radiation processing of ices on grains in the interstellar medium. Laboratory spectra of asphaltite and related materials have been published by Moroz et al., while Cloutis showed similar bands in comparable materials and identified them as the overtone and combination bands of C-H stretching and bending modes in CH2 and CH3 groups. Asphaltites, kerites, and anthraxolites are solid non-graphite members of a sequence ranging from oil to graphite; diffuse reflectance spectra of suites of these intermediate materials show color characteristics similar to those of the low-albedo asteroids (C,P,D), although specific identifications have not been made because of the lack of distinct absorption bands in the spectra of most low-albedo solar system bodies. In the case of Pholus, however, the primary band is strong; its wavelength and its shape, plus the match of the extremely red color, leads us to the identification of aliphatic-rich, asphaltite-like organic solid. The C, P, and D-type asteroids vary in degree of 'redness', but are all less red than Pholus. Pholus and the C-type asteroids are the end members of a sequence that represents the radiation processing of hydrocarbons, with Pholus being the least processed. Solar irradiation processes and heating reduce the H/C and aliphatic content of hydrocarbons preserved from the interstellar medium, and in the end produce opaque solids of neutral reflectance, including the kerogens (similar to anthraxolites) found in profusion in the carbonaceous meteorites.

Cruikshank, Dale P.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Ices on the surface of Triton

The near-infrared spectrum of Triton reveals ices of nitrogen, methane, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, of which nitrogen is the dominant component. Carbon dioxide ice may be spatially segregated from the other more volatile ices, covering about 10 percent of Triton's surface. The absence of ices of other hydrocarbons and nitriles challenges existing models of methane and nitrogen photochemistry on Triton.

Cruikshank, Dale P.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Surface ices and the atmospheric composition of Pluto

Observations of the 1.4- to 2.4-micrometer spectrum of Pluto reveal absorptions of carbon monoxide and nitrogen ices and confirm the presence of solid methane. Frozen nitrogen is more abundant than the other two ices by a factor of about 50; gaseous nitrogen must therefore be the major atmospheric constituent. The absence of carbon dioxide absorptions is one of several differences between the spectra of Pluto and Triton in this region. Both worlds carry information about the composition of the solar nebula and the processes by which icy planetesimals formed.

Owen, Tobias C.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Spectroscopic determination of the phase composition and temperature of nitrogen ice on Triton

Laboratory spectra of the first overtone band (2.1480 microns, 4655.4 reciprocal cm) of solid nitrogen show additional structure at 2.1618 microns (4625.8 reciprocal cm) over a limited temperature range. The spectrum of Neptune's satellite Triton shows the nitrogen overtone band as well as the temperature-sensitive component. The temperature dependence of this band may be used in conjunction with ground-based observations of Triton as an independent means of determining the temperature of surface deposits of nitrogen ice. The surface temperature of Triton is found to be 38.0 +2.0 or -1.0 K, in agreement with previous temperature estimates and measurements. There is no spectral evidence for the presence of alpha-nitrogen on Triton's surface, indicating that there is less than 10 percent carbon monoxide in solid solution with the nitrogen on the surface.

Tryka, Kimberly A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

The enigmatic object 2201 Oljato - Is it an asteroid or an evolved comet?

The orbital properties of near-earth object 2201 have been associated with meteor showers, and its modeled orbital evolution is chaotic - a property which might indicate a history related to comets. Telescopic observations of its visible and near-infrared spectral reflectance, broad-band visible and near-infrared photometry, infrared radiometric measurements, and radar echoes are reported here from two apparitions, 1979 and 1983. This asteroid has a high radiometric albedo, a property not associated with comet nuclei. In certain wavelength regimes it is classified as an S-type asteroid, in others, an E-type, but its overall spectral reflectance is not typical of either taxonomic type, and neither type is thought of as cometlike. Unexpectedly high ultraviolet reflectance at the 1979 apparition was suggested to be the result of residual outgassing as in a comet. The UV photometric data are modeled as fluorescent emission from neutral species found in comets. The resulting calculations indicate a plausible value for OH and CN emission at 0.3085 and 0.38 micron relative to the observed range of active comets.

Mcfadden, Lucy A.↗