A. Cicchetti
A5018689033- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Atmospheric Ozone and Climate
- Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
- Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
- Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
- Space Satellite Systems and Control
- Scientific Research and Discoveries
- Geophysics and Gravity Measurements
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Cryospheric studies and observations
- Underwater Acoustics Research
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- Soil Moisture and Remote Sensing
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Advanced SAR Imaging Techniques
- Medical Imaging Techniques and Applications
- Maritime and Coastal Archaeology
- Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis
Institute for Space Astrophysics and Planetology
2016-2025
National Institute for Astrophysics
2016-2025
Istituto di Astrofisica Spaziale e Fisica Cosmica di Bologna
2024
Planetary Science Institute
2024
Sapienza University of Rome
2005-2017
European Space Research and Technology Centre
2016
Istituto di Astrofisica Spaziale e Fisica Cosmica di Milano
2010
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
2005-2007
Goddard Space Flight Center
2007
Alenia Aermacchi
2005
The presence of liquid water at the base Martian polar caps has long been suspected but not observed. We surveyed Planum Australe region using Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding, a low-frequency radar on Express spacecraft. profiles collected between May 2012 December 2015, contain evidence trapped below ice South Polar Layered Deposits. Anomalously bright subsurface reflections were found within well-defined, 20km wide zone centered 193°E, 81°S, surrounded by much...
The ice-rich south polar layered deposits of Mars were probed with the Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding on Express orbiter. radar signals penetrate deep into (more than 3.7 kilometers). For most area, a reflection is detected at time delay that consistent an interface between substrate. reflected power from this indicates minimal attenuation signal, suggesting composition nearly pure water ice. Maps generated topography basal thickness deposits. A set buried depressions...
The martian subsurface has been probed to kilometer depths by the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding instrument aboard Express orbiter. Signals penetrate polar layered deposits, probably imaging base of deposits. Data from northern lowlands Chryse Planitia have revealed a shallowly buried quasi-circular structure about 250 kilometers in diameter that is interpreted be an impact basin. In addition, planar reflector associated with basin may indicate presence low-loss...
The VIRTIS (Visible, Infrared and Thermal Imaging Spectrometer) instrument on board the Rosetta spacecraft has provided evidence of carbon-bearing compounds nucleus comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. very low reflectance (normal albedo 0.060 ± 0.003 at 0.55 micrometers), spectral slopes in visible infrared ranges (5 to 25 1.5 5% kÅ(-1)), broad absorption feature 2.9-to-3.6-micrometer range present across entire illuminated surface are compatible with opaque minerals associated nonvolatile...
Abstract The SIMBIO-SYS (Spectrometer and Imaging for MPO BepiColombo Integrated Observatory SYStem) is a complex instrument suite part of the scientific payload Mercury Planetary Orbiter mission, last cornerstone missions European Space Agency (ESA) Horizon + science program. will provide all imaging capability spacecraft. It consists three channels: STereo Channel (STC), with broad spectral band in 400-950 nm range medium spatial resolution (at best 58 m/px), that Digital Terrain Model...
Abstract Subsurface reflectors in radar sounder data from the Mars Advanced Radar for and Ionospheric Sounding instrument aboard Express spacecraft indicate significant dielectric contrasts between layers Martian Medusae Fossae Formation (MFF). Large density changes that create are less likely deposits of volcanic ash, eolian sediments, dust, compaction models show homogeneous fine‐grained material cannot readily account inferred constant where more than a kilometer thick. The presence...
Abstract The Martian bow shock distance has previously been shown to be anticorrelated with solar wind dynamic pressure but correlated extreme ultraviolet (EUV) irradiance. Since both of these parameters reduce the square from Sun, and Mars' orbit about Sun increases by ∼0.3 AU perihelion aphelion, it is not clear how location will respond variations in parameters, if at all, throughout its orbit. In order characterize such a response, we use more than 5 years Mars Express Analyser Space...
Moons drive structure in Jupiter's aurorae Like Earth, Jupiter has generated by energetic particles hitting its atmosphere. Those incoming can come from moons Io and Ganymede. Mura et al. used infrared observations the Juno spacecraft to image moon-generated aurorae. The pattern induced showed an alternating series of spots, reminiscent vortices, sometimes split into two arcs. Aurorae related Ganymede could also show a double structure. Although cause these unexpected features remains...
Rosetta observes sublimating surface ices Comets are “dirty snowballs” made of ice and dust, but they dark because the sublimates away, leaving some dust behind on surface. The spacecraft has provided a close-up view comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko as it passes through its closest point to Sun (see Perspective by Dello Russo). Filacchione et al. detected spectral signature solid CO 2 (dry ice) in small patches nucleus emerged from local winter. By modeling how sublimates, constrain...
Abstract It has been thought that Io’s many paterae may contain lava lakes, but observations by NASA’s Galileo spacecraft at sufficiently high resolution were limited to a few locations, such as Loki Patera. Data acquired Juno mission in May 2023 reveal common set of thermal characteristics for least ten on Io, with bright (hot) “thermal rings” around the perimeter their floors. Loki, Surt, Fuchi, Amaterasu, Mulungu, Chors, and Dazhbog Patera, four unnamed paterae, all show same pattern...
Abstract The response of the Martian ionosphere to solar activity is analyzed by taking into account variations in a range parameters during four phases cycle throughout 2005–2012. Multiple Mars Express data sets have been used (such as Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding (MARSIS) Active Sounding, MARSIS subsurface, MaRS Radio Science), which currently cover more than 10 years activity. topside main ionospheric layer behavior empirically modeled through neutral scale...
We investigate the variability of power emission Io’s hotspots by using recent Juno/JIRAM infrared observations. The Jovian Infrared Auroral Mapper (JIRAM) is an imaging spectrometer which began observing Jupiter in August 2016. Although Jupiter’s moons not its primary objective, JIRAM can use frequent opportunities to observe Io (up once per orbit) gather images and spectra surface. present study uses data acquired during last 2 years, including location morphology hotspots, temporal total...
Abstract We report recent observations of lava lakes within patera on Io made by the JIRAM (Jovian InfraRed Auroral Mapper) imager board Juno spacecraft, taken during close that occurred extended mission. At least 40 have been identified from observations. The majority (>50%) paterae elevated thermal signatures when imaged at sufficiently high spatial resolution (a few km/pixel), implying are ubiquitous Io. annular width spattering region around margins, a characteristic lakes, is order...
Abstract We used data from the Juno spacecraft to investigate both spatial and temporal properties of Loki Patera on Io, acquired in two infrared bands between 2022 December 2024 April, at pixel sizes ranging 400 m 15 km. shows a thermal structure unlike other active lava lakes previously reported, with some brightening near lake’s perimeter but lacking continuous “hot ring” seen paterae. Modeling slow rate cooling suggests there is significant volume magma beneath crust provide latent heat...
Abstract We report the first observation of vertical and temporal structure H 3 + emission at auroral footprint Io, as observed by Juno/JIRAM. The brightness profile shows a maximum 600 km above 1 bar, with no apparent difference between main Alfvén wing (MAW) spot tail footprint. This better aligns broadband energy distribution precipitating electrons, instead monoenergetic one. column density has been after passage MAW hyperbolic decrease. A model decay is proposed, which takes into...
Abstract In this work, we analyze data from the JIRAM imaging spectrometer on board NASA mission Juno, to investigate presence of Spectrally Identifiable Ammonia Clouds (SIACs). Focusing first perijove passage, found that a white vortex structure near 40○N provides best candidate. Implementing atmospheric retrieval thanks Planetary Spectrum Generator (PSG), fit spectra (in 2.5–3.1 $\mu$m range) inside and outside vortex, varying gaseous ammonia profiles, clouds hazes properties composition....