Premium
IUE views Europa: Temporal variations in the UV
Author(s) -
Domingue Deborah L.,
Lane Arthur L.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/1998gl900209
Subject(s) - jovian , longitude , physics , astronomy , absorption (acoustics) , photometry (optics) , remote sensing , ultraviolet , geology , astrobiology , astrophysics , optics , latitude , planet , stars , saturn
Observations taken with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) show the first detection of temporal changes in the UV spectral reflectance of the Jovian quadrant of Europa's leading side between 15°–75° longitude over a time scale considered extraordinarily short for a large planetary object (commensurate with possible resurfacing events). The central trailing side region displays a 0.28 µm SO 2 absorption that has remained constant in relative depth over the past decade to within the instrument detection limits. A new 0.33 µm absorption feature is seen on the leading side.