High-resolution infrared spectroscopy of Io and possible surface materials

A comparison of new spectra of Io with laboratory-simulated frosts confirms that the dominant materials on Io are SO2 frost in conjunction with a spectrally neutral material presumed to be sulfur. While the 4-micron region spectra are largely explainable in these terms, attention is drawn to a shoulder in the spectrum at 4.04 microns that is suggestive of adsorbed SO2 gas; two shallow, unidentified bands are also noted at 3.85 and 3.91 microns. The isotopic ratios of oxygen and sulfur appear to be normal. The absence of distinct bands in the new spectra in the 5-micron region limits the abundance of sulfate and sulfite compounds. 34 references