Cassini-VIMS at Jupiter: Solar occultation measurements using Io
Icarus
By: V. Formisano, E. D'Aversa, G. Bellucci, K. H. Baines, J.-P. Bibring, R. H. Brown, B. J. Buratti, F. Capaccioni, P. Cerroni, R. N. Clark, A. Coradini, D. P. Cruikshank, P. Drossart, R. Jaumann, Y. Langevin, D. L. Matson, T. B. McCord, V. Mennella, R.M. Nelson, P. D. Nicholson, B. Sicardy, Christophe Sotin, M.C. Chamberlain, G. Hansen, K. Hibbits, M. Showalter, and G. Filacchione
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Abstract
We report unusual and somewhat unexpected observations of the jovian satellite Io, showing strong methane absorption bands. These observations were made by the Cassini VIMS experiment during the Jupiter flyby of December/January 2000/2001. The explanation is straightforward: Entering or exiting from Jupiter's shadow during an eclipse, Io is illuminated by solar light which has transited the atmosphere of Jupiter. This light, therefore becomes imprinted with the spectral signature of Jupiter's upper atmosphere, which includes strong atmospheric methane absorption bands. Intercepting solar light refracted by the jovian atmosphere, Io essentially becomes a "miffor" for solar occultation events of Jupiter. The thickness of the layer where refracted solar light is observed is so large (more than 3000 km at Io's orbit), that we can foresee a nearly continuous multi-year period of similar events at Saturn, utilizing the large and bright ring system. During Cassini's 4-year nominal mission, this probing tecnique should reveal information of Saturn's atmosphere over a large range of southern latitudes and times. ?? 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Cassini-VIMS at Jupiter: Solar occultation measurements using Io |
| Series title | Icarus |
| DOI | 10.1016/S0019-1035(03)00178-7 |
| Volume | 166 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 2003 |
| Language | English |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Icarus |
| First page | 75 |
| Last page | 84 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |