Scientists are still learning to understand Io, but do have a good understanding of what makes up the composition and atmosphere of the moon. That information has been determined after many missions near Jupiter and it’s moons. The information obtained by fly by missions near Io have been gathered using spacecrafts designed to collect data like the temperature and images of the surface. The information gathered helps the scientists in determining what Io may be composed of and what the atmosphere is made up of.
The surface of the moon consists mostly of sulfur, silicon, and sodium (Montana State University, n.d.). Scientists know that the atmosphere is made up of about 90% sulfur, and 10% of other elements (Windows to the Universe Team, n.d.).
The interior of the moon has been determined by considering aspects of Io like the density of the moon (Montana State University, n.d.). Scientists have found that Io has a solid core of iron and iron sulfide that is around 1,200 – 1,800km in diameter (NASA, In depth 2021).
Io. Io handout. (n.d.). Retrieved October 30, 2022, from https://btc.montana.edu/ceres/html/ExtremeEnvironment/ExtremeIo.htm
NASA. (2021, July 19). In depth. NASA. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/moons/jupiter-moons/io/in-depth/
Windows to the Universe Team. (n.d.). What io is made of. Composition of Io, Jupiter’s Moon – Windows to the Universe. Retrieved October 30, 2022, from https://www.windows2universe.org/?page=%2Fjupiter%2Fmoons%2Fio_composition_overview.html