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Title: Io’s SO 2 and NaCl Wind Fields from ALMA
Abstract We present spatially resolved measurements of SO2and NaCl winds on Io at several unique points in its orbit: before and after eclipse and at maximum eastern and western elongation. The derived wind fields represent a unique case of meteorology in a rarified, volcanic atmosphere. Through the use of Doppler shift measurements in emission spectra obtained with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array between ~346 and 430 GHz (~0.70–0.87 mm), line-of-sight winds up to ~−100 m s−1in the approaching direction and >250 m s−1in the receding direction were derived for SO2at altitudes of ~10–50 km, while NaCl winds consistently reached ~∣150–200∣ m s−1in localized regions up to ~30 km above the surface. The wind distributions measured at maximum east and west Jovian elongations and on the sub-Jovian hemisphere pre- and posteclipse were found to be significantly different and complex, corroborating the results of simulations that include surface temperature and frost distribution, volcanic activity, and interactions with the Jovian magnetosphere. Further, the wind speeds of SO2and NaCl are often inconsistent in direction and magnitude, indicating that the processes that drive the winds for the two molecular species are different and potentially uncoupled; while the SO2wind field can be explained through a combination of sublimation-driven winds, plasma torus interactions, and plume activity, the NaCl winds appear to be primarily driven by the plasma torus.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2238344
PAR ID:
10629512
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Date Published:
Journal Name:
The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Volume:
978
Issue:
1
ISSN:
2041-8205
Page Range / eLocation ID:
L1
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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