Plasma ion‐induced molecular ejection on the Galilean satellites: Energies of ejected molecules

Abstract

First measurements of the energy of ejection of molecules from icy surfaces by fast incident ions are presented. Such results are needed in discussions of the Jovian and Saturnian plasma interactions with the icy satellites. In this letter parameters describing the ion‐induced ejection and redistribution of molecules on the Galilean satellites are recalculated in light of the new laboratory data.