A5026936862- Astro and Planetary Science
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Atmospheric Ozone and Climate
- Geological and Geochemical Analysis
- Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
- Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
- Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
- Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
- Scientific Research and Discoveries
- Geophysics and Gravity Measurements
- Calibration and Measurement Techniques
- Marine and environmental studies
- Mass Spectrometry Techniques and Applications
- Geological Formations and Processes Exploration
- Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
- Atmospheric and Environmental Gas Dynamics
National Institute for Astrophysics
2016-2025
Institute for Space Astrophysics and Planetology
2016-2025
Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier
2016
Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique et Technique (CNRST)
2016
Brembo (United Kingdom)
2016
University of Rome Tor Vergata
2016
Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics
2014
International Space Science Institute
2014
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini"
2007
Istituto di Astrofisica Spaziale e Fisica Cosmica di Bologna
2007
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...
A New Dawn Since 17 July 2011, NASA's spacecraft has been orbiting the asteroid Vesta—the second most massive and third largest in solar system (see cover). Russell et al. (p. 684 ) use Dawn's observations to confirm that Vesta is a small differentiated planetary body with an inner core, represents surviving proto-planet from earliest epoch of formation; also confirmed as source howardite-eucrite-diogenite (HED) meteorites. Jaumann 687 report on asteroid's overall geometry topography, based...
INTRODUCTION The surface of the dwarf planet Ceres is known to host phyllosilicate minerals, but their distribution and origin have not previously been determined. Phyllosilicates are hydrated silicates, presence on intriguing given that structure evolves through an aqueous alteration process. In addition, some phyllosilicates bear NH 4 , which places a constraint pH redox conditions during evolution Ceres. We studied across planet’s better understand evolutionary pathway RATIONALE Using...
Organic compounds detected on Ceres Water and organic molecules were delivered to the early Earth by impacts of comets asteroids. De Sanctis et al. examined infrared spectra taken Dawn spacecraft as it orbited Ceres, largest object in asteroid belt (see Perspective Küppers). In some small patches surface, they absorption bands characteristic aliphatic compounds. The authors ruled out an external origin, such impact, suggesting that material must have formed Ceres. Together with other...
Abstract The JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) of ESA was launched on 14 April 2023 and will arrive at Jupiter its in July 2031. In this review article, we describe how JUICE investigate the interior three icy Galilean moons, Ganymede, Callisto Europa, during orbital tour final phase around Ganymede. Detailed geophysical observations about can only be performed from close distances to best estimates signatures interior, such as an induced magnetic field, tides rotation variations, radar...
The surface of dwarf planet Ceres contains hydroxyl-rich materials. Theories predict a water ice-rich mantle, and vapor emissions have been observed, yet no (H2O) has previously identified. Visible InfraRed (VIR) mapping spectrometer onboard the Dawn spacecraft now detected absorption features within low-illumination, highly reflective zone in Oxo, 10-kilometer, geologically fresh crater, on five occasions over period 1 month. Candidate materials are H2O ice mineral hydrates. Exposed would...
Water plays a key role in the evolution of terrestrial planets, and notably occurrence Earth's oceans. However, mechanism by which water has been incorporated into these bodies—including Earth—is still extensively debated. Here we report detection widespread 2.8 μm OH absorption bands on surface asteroid Vesta VIR imaging spectrometer board Dawn. These observations are surprising as is fully differentiated with basaltic surface. The distributed across Vesta's shows areas enriched depleted...
The Visible, InfraRed, and Thermal Imaging Spectrometer (VIRTIS) on Rosetta obtained hyperspectral images, spectral reflectance maps, temperature maps of the asteroid 21 Lutetia. No absorption features, either silicates or hydrated minerals, have been detected across observed area in range from 0.4 to 3.5 micrometers. surface reaches a maximum value 245 kelvin correlates well with topographic features. thermal inertia is 20 30 joules meter(-2) kelvin(-1) second(-0.5), comparable lunarlike...
Different carbonates have been detected on Ceres, and their abundance spatial distribution mapped using a visible infrared mapping spectrometer (VIR), the Dawn imaging spectrometer. Carbonates are abundant ubiquitous across surface, but variations in strength position of spectral absorptions indicate composition amount these minerals. Mg-Ca all over localized areas show Na carbonates, such as natrite (Na2CO3) hydrated (for example, Na2CO3·H2O). Their geological settings accessory NH4-bearing...
The physical properties of cometary nuclei observed today relate to their complex history and help constrain formation evolution. In this article, we review some the main focus in particular on thermal, mechanical, structural dielectric properties, emphasizing progress made during Rosetta mission. Comets have a low density 480 $\pm$ 220 kg m-3 permittivity 1.9 - 2.0, consistent with high porosity 70 80 %, are weak very global tensile strength $<$100 Pa, bulk thermal inertia 0 60 J K-1 m-2...
Abstract The MAJIS (Moons And Jupiter Imaging Spectrometer) instrument on board the ESA JUICE (JUpiter ICy moon Explorer) mission is an imaging spectrometer operating in visible and near-infrared spectral range from 0.50 to 5.55 μm two channels with a boundary at 2.3 samplings for VISNIR IR better than 4 nm/band 7 nm/band, respectively. IFOV 150 μrad over total of 400 pixels. As already amply demonstrated by past present operative planetary space missions, this type can span wide scientific...
Abstract During Juno's close flybys of Io in 2023 and 2024, its low‐light sensitive Stellar Reference Unit (SRU) was used to conduct a high‐resolution visible wavelength (450–1,100 nm) imaging campaign under Jupiter‐shine illumination. The SRU acquired highest resolution image Io's surface (895–1,230 m/pixel) December at high phase angle ∼110°. reveals structural changes Zal Patera since Galileo (1999–2000) multiple forms active volcanism within the Montes‐Patera complex, including...
We investigated the origin of unusual pitted terrain on asteroid Vesta, revealed in images from Dawn spacecraft. Pitted is characterized by irregular rimless depressions found and around several impact craters, with a distinct morphology not observed other airless bodies. Similar associated numerous martian where pits are thought to form through degassing volatile-bearing material heated impact. Vesta may have formed similar manner, which indicates that portions surface contain relatively...