Search Publications
Saturn in Lyman α: A comparison of Cassini and Voyager observations
Sandel, B. R.; Quemerais, E.; Yelle, R. V. +2 more
We analyze Saturn Lyman α system scans observed by the Cassini/UVIS instrument probing non-auroral airglow emissions from Saturn's disk, the ring atmosphere and the Saturn hydrogen torus. We constrain variations in disk brightness with latitude and local time, relating them to models of Saturn's upper atmosphere. We compare these results with Voya…
Assessing the contribution of centaur impacts to ice giant luminosities
Dodson-Robinson, Sarah E.
Voyager 2 observations revealed that Neptune's internal luminosity is an order of magnitude higher than that of Uranus. If the two planets have similar interior structures and cooling histories, Neptune's luminosity can only be explained by invoking some energy source beyond gravitational contraction. This paper investigates whether centaur impact…
Pluto and Charon's UV spectra from IUE to New Horizons
Stern, S. Alan; Schindhelm, Rebecca; Gladstone, Randy +1 more
We compare Mid-Ultraviolet (MUV) spectra of Pluto taken over a period of 20 years by the International Ultraviolet Explorer, the HST-Faint Object Spectrograph, and the HST-Cosmic Origins Spectrograph. We extract Pluto-only spectra from the IUE data and associate them with corrected longitudes when necessary. Comparing them with HST spectra provide…
The mesosphere and lower thermosphere of Titan revealed by Cassini/UVIS stellar occultations
Sandel, B. R.; West, R. A.; Yelle, R. V. +5 more
Stellar occultations observed by the Cassini/UVIS instrument provide unique data that probe the mesosphere and lower thermosphere of Titan at altitudes between 400 and 1400 km. This region is a site of complex photochemistry that forms hydrocarbon and nitrile species, and plays a crucial role in the formation of the organic hazes observed in the s…
Ultraviolet spectroscopy of Asteroid (4) Vesta
A'Hearn, Michael F.; Feaga, Lori M.; Russell, Christopher T. +6 more
We report a comprehensive review of the UV-visible spectrum and rotational lightcurve of Vesta combining new observations by Hubble Space Telescope and Swift Gamma-ray Burst Observatory with archival International Ultraviolet Explorer observations. The geometric albedos of Vesta from 220 nm to 953 nm are derived by carefully comparing these observ…
UV habitable zones around M stars
Buccino, Andrea P.; Lemarchand, Guillermo A.; Mauas, Pablo J. D.
During the last decade there was a change in paradigm, which led to consider that terrestrial-type planets within liquid-water habitable zones (LW-HZ) around M stars can also be suitable places for the emergence and evolution of life. Since many dMe stars emit large amount of UV radiation during flares, in this work we analyze the UV constrains fo…
Ultraviolet radiation constraints around the circumstellar habitable zones
Buccino, Andrea P.; Lemarchand, Guillermo A.; Mauas, Pablo J. D.
Ultraviolet radiation is known to inhibit photosynthesis, induce DNA destruction and cause damage to a wide variety of proteins and lipids. In particular, UV radiation between 200 and 300 nm becomes energetically very damaging to most of the terrestrial biological systems. On the other hand, UV radiation is usually considered one of the most impor…
Rotationally-resolved spectroscopy of Vesta I: 2 4 µm region
McFadden, L. A.; Rivkin, A. S.; Binzel, R. P. +1 more
We present new infrared (2-4 µm) spectroscopic observations of Vesta obtained in 2001, 2003, and 2004. Together with previously published work, these present a picture of how Vesta's spectrum changes with sub-Earth latitude and longitude. Vesta's albedo and 2-µm band vary regularly with its rotational phase. While establishing the cont…
The icy Galilean satellites: ultraviolet phase curve analysis
Domingue, Deborah L.; Hendrix, Amanda R.; King, Kimberly
Ultraviolet disk-integrated solar phase curves of the icy galilean satellites Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto are presented, using combined data sets from the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE), Hubble Space Telescope (HST), and the Galileo Ultraviolet Spectrometer. Global, disk-integrated solar phase curves for all three satellites, in addit…
A search for temporal variability in the surface chemistry of the icy Galilean satellites
Hendrix, Amanda; Domingue, Deborah
The purpose of this study was to determine if any temporal variability in the broadband UV spectral properties of the icy Galilean satellites exists, and if so, to characterize its spatial distribution as a function of longitude in order to attempt to correlate any temporal changes with satellite surface interactions with the space environment. Th…