Spectral reflectance of solid sulfur trioxide (0.25–5.2 μm): Implications for Jupiter's satellite Io

We have measured the reflection spectrum of solid sulfur trioxide and we have compared this spectrum to the spectral geometric albedo of Jupiter's satellite Io. We find that the laboratory spectrum of solid SO₃ has very strong absorption features at 3.38, and 4.08 μm. The 3.38- and 3.70-μm absorptions are present very weakly (if indeed at all) in the spectral geometric albedo of Io. This suggests that solid SO₃, if present at all, could exist only as a very minor component of Io's surface. We note that studies involving particle bombardment of SO₂ (a known Io surface constituent) produce SO₃ (Moore, 1984, Icarus 31, 40–80). Sulfur trioxide, once formed on Io's surface, would be extremely stable; however, it would not be expected to accumulate to levels detectable from Earth-based instruments. While it may be possible that the constant resurfacing of Io by volcanic ejecta may cover any SO₃ formed, the area subject to such extensive resurfacing on short time scales (∼ 1 year) is at best ∼10%. Therefore, we would expect that condensed SO₂ remote from volcanos should develop a small but significant SO₃ concentration that could be detected by instruments such as the near-infrared mapping spectrometer on the Galileo spacecraft.     

Infrared diffuse reflectances (2.5–25 μm) of some meteorites

We measured emissionless infrared diffuse reflectances of some meteorites by using a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer to obtain additional information on identification of asteroidal surface materials. Although the spectral features of diffuse reflectances are apparently different from those of transmission spectra, the absorption bands of constituent minerals can be detected. C2 carbonaceous chondrite materials can be distinguished from C3 materials by the depth of their hydration bands around 3 and 6 μm. These hydration bands do not lose contrast by pulverization of the sample. Acid dissolution experiment shows that the 6.8-μm band in the spectra of the Murchison (C2) meteorite is probably due to carbonates. The enstatite meteorite examined (Norton County) shows absorption bands around 10 μm caused by pyroxene unlike the iron meteorite examined (Mundrabilla). Because these latter two meteorite types give similar spectra without strong absorption bands in the UV-Visible-near IR region, middle infrared spectra should be helpful in interpreting asteroidal surface materials when combined with the UV-Visible-near IR spectra.     

An integrated 2.5–12.5 μm emission spectrum of naturally-occurring aromatic molecules

The expected emission features from an ensemble of naturally-occurring aromatic molecules is shown to be in satisfactory agreement with the emission properties of PAH molecules associated with planetary nebulae.     

2.8–3.6 μm Spectra of Micro-Organisms with Varying H2O Ice-Content

The extinction curves of bacterial grains on which variable mass fractions of water-ice are condensed are calculated. Because the ice band at 3.07 μm is stronger by a factor of about thirty than the OH and CH stretching bands in organic materials even a small mass fraction of ice condensed inside or on the surface of the particles modifies and tends to obscure the characteristic biological signature at ∼ 3.4 μm. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Infrared radiometry of Uranus and Neptune at 21 and 32 μm

Radiometric measurement of Uranus and Neptune near 21 and 32 μm have been made with filters with widths of 8 and 5 μm, respectively. The observations at 21 μm, made on 1985 June 19 at the NASA Infrared telescope facility at Mauna Kea, Hawaii, were calibrated against α Boo and corresponded to brightness temperatures of 54.1 ± 0.3 K for Uranus and 58.1 ± 0.3 K for Neptune. The observations at 32 μm were made on three nights: 1983 May 1 and 1984 May 30 and 31, also at the NASA IRTF. Calibrated against the Jovian satellites Callisto (J4) and Ganymede (J3), these measurements corresponded to brightness temperatures of 51.8 ± 1.5 K for Uranus and 55.6 ± 1.2 K for Neptune. The observations are consistent with higher-resolution studies and confirm the general decrease of brightness temperatures going from about 20 to 30 μm.     

Infrared spectroscopy over the 2.9–3.9 μm waveband in biochemistry and astronomy

The infrared spectrum of the galactic centre source IRS 7 over the 2.9–3.9 m waveband is interpreted as strong evidence for bacterial grains.     

Infrared Spectroscopy Over The 2.9–3.9 μm Waveband in Biochemistry and Astronomy

The infrared spectrum of the galactic centre source GC-IRS 7 over the 2.9–3.9 μm waveband is interpreted as strong evidence for bacterial grains. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Mid-IR (8–13 μm) images of the 21 μm,carbon rich proto-planetary nebulae

We present 9.7 and 11.8 m narrow band (/=10%) images of three carbon (C-) rich proto-planetary nebulae with an unusual 21 m feature: IRAS 07134+ 1005, IRAS 22272+5435, and IRAS 04296+3429. The images were taken at UKIRT using the Berkeley/IGPP/LEA mid-IR camera. All three objects have a bipolar shape adding to the existing evidence that C-rich PPNe are by nature bipolar. Furthermore, we find the same bipolar morphology in a previous study of the C-rich, young planetary nebula, IRAS 21282+5050. We believe these four objects form an evolutionary sequence which links the C-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars with the C-rich planetary nebulae (PNe). From this evolutionary sequence, we conclude that bipolarity in C-rich PNe begins on the AGB and that the dynamical ages of these PPNe are in fair agreement with theoretical ages for a 0.6 M hydrogen burning core star.     

8–13 μm spectrophotometry of Comet Kohoutek

Spectrophotometry of Comet Kohoutek (1973f) covering the wavelength range 8–13 μm is presented. The spectral shape of the derived flux excess above a blackbody closely resembles that seen in circumstellar and interstellar dust and generally attributed to metallic silicates.     

A determination of Jovian ammonia abundance based on a 2 μm spectrum

A spectrum of Jupiter in the two micron region has been analyzed to determine the Jovian ammonia abundance. The result is a ?4 cm - amagat, assuming an airmass factor η = 2.5 and a single effective reflecting layer for this wavelength. This is compared with the abundances observed at other wavelengths.     

Infrared spectroscopy of micro-organisms near 3,4 μm in relation to geology and astronomy

Microorganisms sealed in KBr dises have an absorption spectrum over the 2.5–15 m waveband that shows thermal stability as they are heated in an inert atmosphere to temperatures of about 400°C. Microfossils tightly sealed within cavities in rocks could be endowed with similar properties of thermal stability. The observed absorption of interstellar material along the line of sight from the solar system to the galactic centre is remarkably similar to the spectrum of dry micro-organisms over the 3.15–3.7 m waveband.     

Infrared Spectroscopy of Micro-Organisms near 3.4 μm in Relation to Geology and Astronomy

Microorganisms sealed in KBr discs have an absorption spectrum over the 2.5–15 μm waveband that shows thermal stability as they are heated in an inert atmosphere to temperatures of about400 ^°C. Microfossils tightly sealed within cavities in rocks could be endowed with similar properties of thermal stability. The observed absorption of interstellar material along the line of sight from the solar system to the galactic centre is remarkably similar to the spectrum of dry micro-organisms over the 3.15–3.7 μm waveband. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Infrared (0.83-5.1 μm) photometry of Phoebe from the Cassini Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer

Three weeks prior to the commencement of Cassini's 4 year tour of the saturnian system, the spacecraft executed a close flyby of the outer satellite Phoebe. The infrared channel of the Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) obtained images of reflected light over the 0.83-5.1 μm spectral range with an average spectral resolution of 16.5 nm, spatial resolution up to 2 km, and over a range of solar phase angles not observed before. These images have been analyzed to derive fundamental photometric parameters including the phase curve and phase integral, spectral geometric albedo, bolometric Bond albedo, and the single scattering albedo. Physical properties of the surface, including macroscopic roughness and the single particle phase function, have also been characterized. Maps of normal reflectance show the existence of two major albedo regimes in the infrared, with gradations between the two regimes and much terrain with substantially higher albedos. The phase integral of Phoebe is 0.29±0.03, with no significant wavelength dependence. The bolometric Bond albedo is 0.023±007. We find that the surface of Phoebe is rough, with a mean slope angle of 33°. The satellite's surface has a substantial forward scattering component, suggesting that its surface is dusty, perhaps from a history of outgassing. The spectrum of Phoebe is best matched by a composition including water ice, amorphous carbon, iron-bearing minerals, carbon dioxide, and Triton tholin. The characteristics of Phoebe suggest that it originated outside the saturnian system, perhaps in the Kuiper Belt, and was captured on its journey inward, as suggested by Johnson and Lunine (2005).     

Modelling the 5–30 Μm spectrum of Comet Halley

The 5–30 m spectrum of Comet P/Halley is modelled for various grain compositions on the basis of an observationally determined distribution of grain sizes. We compute the distribution function of grain temperatures and fluxes arising from (1) a mineral grain model, and (2) an organic grain model comprised of a diatom/POM mixture. The organic/POM model yields excellent accord with the cometary observations.     

A model of the 2–4Μm spectrum of Comet Halley

Recent observations of Halley's Comet show a broad absorption band centred at 3.4 m and which can be explained on the basis of a bacterial grain model.     

Modelling The 5–30 μm Spectrum of Comet Halley

The 5–30 μm spectrum of Comet P/Halley is modelled for various grain compositions on the basis of an observationally determined distribution of grain sizes. We compute the distribution function of grain temperatures and fluxes arising from (1) a mineral grain model, and (2) an organic grain model comprised of a diatom/POM mixture. The organic/POM model yields excellent accord with the cometary observations. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Observations of Jupiter and Saturn at 5–8 μm

Moderate-resolution spectrophotometry (Δλ/λ～0.015) has shown the effects of known atmospheric constituents (NH₃, CH₄, C₂H₆) on the 5–8 μm spectrum of Jupiter. Broadband observations of Saturn at 6.5 μm are also reported.     

A Model of The 2–4 μm Spectrum of Comet Halley

Recent observations of Halley's Comet show a broad absorption band centred at 3.4 μm and which can be explained on the basis of a bacterial grain model. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The wavelength dependence of granulation (0.38–2.4 μm)

Using 2 pinhole photometers the intensity of the undisturbed photosphere was recorded simultaneously in 6 and in 4 wavelength regions. The rms value of the intensity variation in each of the 10 wavelength regions decreases slightly with increasing value of the heliocentric angle; this result confirms recent observations by other authors and supports the critique of the results given by Edmonds (1964).We report the detection of a secondary maximum in the wavelength dependence of the intensity variation at 1.5 m.     

High resolution spectrophotometry of selected features in the 1.1 μm spectrum of Comet Kohoutek (1973f)

Fabry-Perot interferometry of Comet Kohoutek (1973f) at 1.1 μm with a resolution of 1.2 Å showed emission features identified as OH and CN lines in addition to a strong Fraunhofer continuum. Central intensities have been derived for three cases (uniform, gaussian, and gaussian plus ?^?1 law) of brightness profiles in the comet coma. Limits for CH₄, H₂O, HeI, SiL and CrI are also derived.