Volcanic activity and SO forbidden line overlap on Io (IMAGE)
Caption
JWST measurements obtained in November 2022 overlaid on a map of Io's surface. Thermal infrared measurements (left) show a brightening of Kanekehili Fluctus, a large and, during the observation period, very active volcanic area on Io. Spectral measurements (right) show forbidden infrared emissions from sulfur monoxide centered on the volcanic area. The coincidence confirms a theory that SO is produced in volcanic vents and, in the very thin atmosphere of Io, remain around long enough to emit the forbidden line that would normally be suppressed by collisions with other molecules in the atmosphere.
Credit
Chris Moeckel and Imke de Pater, UC Berkeley; Io map courtesy of USGS
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