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Abstract. The efficient sputtering and decomposition of Europa's regolith by energetic charged particles produces an atmosphere representative of its surface composition. In addition to 02 and H2 from the decomposition of ice, we show that molecules representative of organics and salts will be present in ionic form at levels detectable using an ion mass spectrometer on an orbiting spacecraft. Such an instrument can also measure isotope ratios to determine surface age.

sub-Earth point (i.e., the X ray limb is the bright visible limb). Except during theShoemaker-Levy 9 impacts, the total X ray emissions are not strongly correlated with System III central meridian longitude. However, a composite map of the emissions shows that they are generally located in regions of low surface magnetic field strength at low latitudes, and in regions of large horizontal surface magnetic field strength gradients at high latitudes.