Prospects of passive radio detection of a subsurface ocean on Europa with a lander. (15th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Romero-Wolf, Andrew; Schroeder, Dustin M.; Ries, Paul; Bills, Bruce G.; Naudet, Charles; Scott, Bryan R.; Treuhaft, Robert; Vance, Steve
• Is Part Of: Planetary and space science. Volume 129(2016)
• Page Start: 118
• Page End: 121
• Publication Date: 2016-09-15
• Subjects: Jupiter -- Europa -- Ices -- Radar observations; Space sciences -- Periodicals; Atmosphere, Upper -- Periodicals; Sciences spatiales -- Périodiques; Haute atmosphère -- Périodiques; 523
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pss.2016.06.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-0633

Abstract

Abstract: We estimate the sensitivity of a lander-based instrument for the passive radio detection of a subsurface ocean beneath the ice shell of Europa, expected to be between 3 km and 30 km thick, using Jupiter's decametric radiation. A passive technique was previously studied for an orbiter. Using passive detection in a lander platform provides a point measurement with significant improvements due to largely reduced losses from surface roughness effects, longer integration times, and diminished dispersion due to ionospheric effects allowing operation at lower frequencies and a wider band. A passive sounder on-board a lander provides a low resource instrument sensitive to subsurface ocean at Europa up to depths of 6.9 km for high loss ice (16 dB/km two-way attenuation rate) and 69 km for pure ice (1.6 dB/km). Abstract : Highlights: A new application of passive sounding using Jupiter's natural radio emissions. Low resource method for sounding Europa's ice shell using a lander. Significant improvement in sensitivity to a subsurface ocean.