Spectroscopic Mapping of Callisto with HST/STIS and Implications for its Surface Composition

TL;DR

This study uses HST/STIS to map Callisto's surface composition, revealing regional variations in ice, organics, and possible mineral features, advancing understanding of its surface processes and materials.

Contribution

First global UV-visible spectral map of Callisto with spatially resolved surface composition analysis, identifying new absorption features and clarifying spectral feature origins.

Findings

Bright water-ice-rich regions have neutral or blue NIR slopes.

Dark regions show red NIR slopes and stronger UV absorption.

New absorption features near 230 and 450 nm potentially linked to irradiated NaCl.

Abstract

We present global, spatially resolved ultraviolet-visible spectra of Callisto obtained with HST/STIS and explore possible compositions of Callisto's surface material. We map the strength of a widespread downturn toward the near-UV and the NIR spectral slope from 700 to 1000 nm, which varies from slightly blue (reflectance decreasing from 700 to 1000 nm) to red (reflectance increasing) across Callisto's surface. Globally, bright water-ice-rich regions tend to have neutral or blue NIR slopes and a shallower near-UV downturn, while darker material is associated with red NIR slopes and stronger near-UV absorption. Broad absorptions near 820 and 930 nm are spatially correlated with the Asgard and Valhalla impact basins and may be associated with iron-bearing silicates. An absorption edge near 275 nm maps primarily to Callisto's trailing hemisphere, and a 320 nm absorption most prevalent within and surrounding Asgard and Valhalla may be related to organics. We report two new absorption features near 230 and 450 nm which might be attributed to irradiated NaCl. We find little evidence for sulfur-bearing species at UV-visible wavelengths and suggest that a 280 nm band seen only in leading/trailing hemisphere ratio spectra and previously attributed to SO2 is better explained as a consequence of dividing the unrelated 320 nm leading hemisphere band by the trailing hemisphere 275 nm absorption edge. Spatial variations in spectral features suggest that Callisto's dark material composition varies regionally, reflecting a mix of endogenic and exogenic sources and radiolytic alteration.