Open AccessMorphology and time variability of Io's visible aurora
Author(s) -
Geissler P. E.,
Smyth W. H.,
McEwen A. S.,
Ip W.,
Belton M. J. S.,
Johnson T. V.,
Ingersoll A. P.,
Rages K.,
Hubbard W.,
Dessler A. J.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2000ja002511
Subject(s) - longitude , southern hemisphere , northern hemisphere , polar cap , satellite , ultraviolet , volcano , physics , geology , atmospheric sciences , polar , natural satellite , astronomy , astrophysics , latitude , optics , seismology
Clear‐filter imaging of Io during the Galileo nominal and extended missions recorded diffuse auroral emissions in 16 distinct observations taken during 14 separate eclipses over a two year period. These images show that the morphology and time variability of the visible aurora have several similarities to Io's far ultraviolet emissions. The orbital leading hemisphere of Io is consistently brighter than the trailing hemisphere, probably due to a greater concentration of torus electrons in the wake region of the satellite. The locations of the polar limb glow and the bright equatorial glows appear to correlate with Io's System III longitude. Unlike the far ultraviolet emissions, the visible aurorae are enhanced near actively venting volcanic plumes, probably because of molecular emission by SO 2 .