Constraining the radiolytic production of Callisto’s O2 atmosphere
- 1Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, USA
- 2Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA
Herein we constrain the radiolytic production rate of O2 from Callisto's exposed ice patches as well as the corresponding steady-state abundance of O2 in Callisto's atmosphere. That is, by simulating the fluxes of thermal plasma and energetic particles irradiating Callisto's surface, taking into account energy deposition within the atmosphere, we determine the initial source flux of O2 to estimate the corresponding column density for Callisto's O2 component, which we compare to those suggested in the literature. This study provides constraints for Callisto's O2 atmosphere in preparation for future observations, particularly those that will be made by the JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) and Europa Clipper spacecraft, as well as the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Further, based on this analysis at Callisto, we can better our understanding on how the atmospheres of other icy satellites in the Solar System can evolve to their observed state.
How to cite: Carberry Mogan, S. R., Liuzzo, L., Poppe, A. R., and Simon, S.: Constraining the radiolytic production of Callisto’s O2 atmosphere, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 24–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-8602, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-8602, 2023.
