Mimas' far-UV albedo: Spatial variations

    Authors

    A. R. Hendrix; T. A. Cassidy; B. J. Buratti; C. Paranicas; C. J. Hansen; B. Teolis; E. Roussos; E. T. Bradley; P. Kollmann;R. E. Johnson

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Icarus

    Keywords

    Satellites, Composition; Ices, UV spectroscopy; Saturn, Satellites; Ultraviolet observations; Satellites, Surfaces; HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE; WATER ICE; E-RING; SATURNIAN SATELLITES; ION; IRRADIATION; ENCELADUS; PHOTOMETRY; EUROPA; ORIGIN; PHOTOLYSIS; Astronomy & Astrophysics

    Abstract

    We present Cassini Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) observations of Mimas at far-ultraviolet wavelengths (170-190 nm) which show an interesting albedo gradient across the anti-saturnian hemisphere. We discuss the photometric behavior of Mimas in the far-UV and review the important exogenic processes and their expected effects, relevant over a wide range of wavelengths. We suggest that the UVIS images display the brightening effects of E-ring grain accretion on Mimas' trailing hemisphere; we also show VIMS results that are consistent with E-ring grain accretion on the trailing hemisphere. The UVIS results also suggest the presence of hydrogen peroxide, predominantly in the southern hemisphere, produced by photolysis; this is expected to be a seasonal effect as a result of enhanced UV insolation during the recently-ended southern summer. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

    Journal Title

    Icarus

    Volume

    220

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-2012

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    922

    Last Page

    931

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000308057200046

    ISSN

    0019-1035

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