Icy Galilean satellite reflectance spectra - Less ice on Ganymede and Callisto?
An evaluation of reflectance spectra of the icy Galilean satellites, taking account of the depth of the 3-micron fundamental water ice absorption feature and the shorter wavelength bands, suggests lower ice abundances for Ganymede and Callistro than previously supposed, provided that the ice is segregated from the nonicy material. Data are consistent with a 50 percent areal coverage of ice on Ganymede and 10 percent on Callistro, the rest of the surface being covered by carbonaceous chondrite-like material with strong 3-micron absorption due to bound water. The analysis indicates a homogeneous icy surface for Europa, and the possible presence on all three objects of small quantities of surface sulfuric acid.