Exploring the Composition of Europa with the Upcoming Europa Clipper Mission

Space Science Reviews, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 220(5)

Опубликована: Июнь 19, 2024

Abstract Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa, harbors a subsurface liquid water ocean; the prospect of this ocean being habitable motivates further exploration moon with upcoming NASA Europa Clipper mission. Key among mission goals is comprehensive assessment moon’s composition, which essential for assessing Europa’s habitability. Through powerful remote sensing and in situ investigations, will explore composition surface subsurface, its tenuous atmosphere, local space environment surrounding moon. Clues on interior be gathered through these assessments, especially regions that may expose materials, including compelling geologic landforms or locations indicative recent current activity such as potential plumes. The planned reconnaissance world constrain models simulate ongoing external internal processes act to alter composition. This paper presents composition-themed mission, synergistic, composition-focused investigations conducted, how anticipated scientific return advance our understanding origin, evolution, state Europa.

Язык: Английский

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Measurement of D/H and 13C/12C ratios in methane ice on Eris and Makemake: Evidence for internal activity

Icarus, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 411, С. 115923 - 115923

Опубликована: Дек. 16, 2023

Язык: Английский

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JWST Reveals CO Ice, Concentrated CO₂ Deposits, and Evidence for Carbonates Potentially Sourced from Ariel’s Interior

The Astrophysical Journal Letters, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 970(2), С. L29 - L29

Опубликована: Июль 24, 2024

Abstract The Uranian moon Ariel exhibits a diversity of geologically young landforms, with surface composition rich in CO 2 ice. origin and other species, however, remains uncertain. We report observations Ariel’s leading trailing hemispheres, collected NIRSpec (2.87–5.10 μ m) on the James Webb Space Telescope. These data shed new light Ariel's spectral properties, revealing double-lobed ice scattering peak centered near 4.20 4.25 m, m lobe possibly representing largest Fresnel yet observed solar system. A prominent 4.38 13 feature is also present, as 4.90 band that results from 12 spectra reveal 4.67 broad 4.02 might result carbonate minerals. confirm features associated are notably stronger hemisphere compared to its hemisphere. detected synthetic mixtures CO, H O, amorphous carbon, finding could be concentrated deposits thicker than ∼10 mm Comparison laboratory indicates likely mixed . evidence for thick possible presence carbonates both hemispheres suggests some carbon oxides sourced interior, their distributions modified by charged particle bombardment, sublimation, seasonal migration high low latitudes.

Язык: Английский

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Irradiation origin and stability of CO on trans-Neptunian objects. Laboratory constraints and observational evidence from JWST/DiSCo-TNOs

Astronomy and Astrophysics, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 694, С. A126 - A126

Опубликована: Янв. 16, 2025

Context . The James Webb Space Telescope large program DiSCo-TNOs has recently shown that CO 2 ice is ubiquitous on 54 mediumsize trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs). TNO surfaces are found to define three main spectral and thus compositional groups likely linked their position before planetary migration. observed the type richest in richer CH 3 OH organics. Considerations thermal evolution of TNOs predicted depletion hypervolatiles such as from surface layers, however. Aims We investigate a potential irradiation origin well its stability by studying distribution two types compared it with experiments. Methods studied 4.68 µm band 2.70 probe relation between molecules 33 TNOs. performed ion experiments ices at 45 60 K 30 keV H + laboratory spectra observations focusing areas positions. Results find which detected very distinct terms relative abundances chemical environment. rich consistent being produced irradiation, specifically, K. On complex organics, more formed OH. As only partly related temperature, environment plays major role retention. Conclusions compatible secondary molecule entirely late processes. Its abundance mostly controlled matrix formed.

Язык: Английский

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Revealing Callisto’s Carbon-rich Surface and CO₂ Atmosphere with JWST

The Planetary Science Journal, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 5(3), С. 60 - 60

Опубликована: Март 1, 2024

Abstract We analyzed spectral cubes of Callisto’s leading and trailing hemispheres, collected with the NIRSpec Integrated Field Unit (G395H) on James Webb Space Telescope. These spatially resolved data show strong 4.25 μ m absorption bands resulting from solid-state 12 CO 2 , strongest features at low latitudes near center its hemisphere, consistent radiolytic production spurred by magnetospheric plasma interacting native H O mixed carbonaceous compounds. detected rovibrational emission lines between 4.2 4.3 over both confirming global presence gas in tenuous atmosphere. results represent first detection side. The distribution is offset subsolar region either suggesting that sputtering, radiolysis, geologic processes help sustain a 4.38 band likely 13 . A prominent 4.57 might result CN-bearing organics present significantly stronger unlike these two are antiassociated. more origin and/or accumulation dust Jupiter’s irregular satellites. Other, subtle could CH-bearing organics, CO, carbonyl sulfide, Na-bearing minerals. highlight need for preparatory laboratory work improved surface–atmosphere interaction models to better understand carbon chemistry icy Galilean moons before arrival NASA’s Europa Clipper ESA’s JUICE spacecraft.

Язык: Английский

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Prominent Mid-infrared Excess of the Dwarf Planet (136472) Makemake Discovered by JWST/MIRI Indicates Ongoing Activity

The Astrophysical Journal Letters, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 976(1), С. L9 - L9

Опубликована: Ноя. 1, 2024

Abstract We report on the discovery of a very prominent mid-infrared (18–25 μ m) excess associated with trans-Neptunian dwarf planet (136472) Makemake. The excess, detected by Mid-Infrared Instrument James Webb Space Telescope, along previous measurements from Spitzer and Herschel space telescopes, indicates occurrence temperatures ∼150 K, much higher than what solid surfaces at Makemake’s heliocentric distance could reach solar irradiation. identify two potential explanations: continuously visible, currently active region powered subsurface upwelling possibly cryovolcanic activity covering ≤1% surface or an as-yet-undetected ring containing small carbonaceous dust grains, which have not been seen before in Centaur rings. Both scenarios point to unprecedented phenomena among objects greatly impact our understanding these distant worlds.

Язык: Английский

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The phase equilibrium behavior of icy bodies' surface mixtures:The simulation of the methane + acetonitrile system on Titan

Icarus, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 116460 - 116460

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Primordial Origin of Methane on Eris and Makemake Supported by D/H Ratios

The Astrophysical Journal Letters, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 983(1), С. L12 - L12

Опубликована: Апрель 4, 2025

Abstract Deuterium, a heavy isotope of hydrogen, is key tracer the formation solar system. Recent James Webb Space Telescope observations have expanded data set deuterium-to-hydrogen (D/H) ratios in methane on KBOs Eris and Makemake, providing new insights into their origins. This study examines elevated D/H these context protosolar nebula (PSN) dynamics chemistry, proposing primordial origin for methane, contrast to previous hypotheses suggesting abiotic production by internal heating. A time-dependent disk model coupled with deuterium chemistry module was used simulate isotopic exchange between hydrogen. Observational constraints, including ratio measured comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, were refine abundance. The simulations show that observed Makemake are consistent origin. results suggest Kuiper Belt Objects likely originated from PSN, similar cometary sequestered solid form—either as pure condensates or clathrates—within its building blocks prior accretion. These provide simple explanation high without need invoke mechanisms.

Язык: Английский

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Low Rock Mass Fraction Within Trans‐Neptunian Objects Inferred From the Spin–Orbit Evolution of Orcus–Vanth and Salacia–Actaea

Journal of Geophysical Research Planets, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 130(4)

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025

Abstract Satellites play a crucial role in understanding the formation and evolution of trans‐Neptunian objects (TNOs). The spin–orbit satellite systems depends on their thermal histories, allowing us to constrain rock mass fraction within TNOs based current states. In this study, we perform coupled thermal–orbital calculations for two around undifferentiated TNOs: Orcus–Vanth Salacia–Actaea. Our results demonstrate that states these are consistent with approximately 20%–30%. Additionally, estimate organic find it is comparable fraction. These findings suggest chemical composition closely resembles comets.

Язык: Английский

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Multiscale astrobiology with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time

Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 12

Опубликована: Май 21, 2025

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) presents an unprecedented opportunity to advance the search for astrobiologically relevant data across diverse astronomical environments. Through its extensive imaging capabilities, LSST will enhance our inventory Solar System objects assess their potential astrobiological conditions. Beyond System, survey billions stars, contributing detection exoplanets, characterizing planetary atmospheres at a zeroth-order level, identifying transient phenomena, exploring conditions within habitable zones. In this paper, we highlight LSST’s unique contribution astrobiology, complementing other missions expanding life beyond Earth in coming decades.

Язык: Английский

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