Hydrogen peroxide dimers and the production of O2 in icy satellite surfaces

Oxygen is seen in the reflectance spectra of the icy surfaces of Ganymede and Europa via absorption bands at 627 and 573 nm. Here we show that the trapped O2 associated with these spectral features can be produced via radiation-induced decomposition of hydrogen peroxide dimers contained in hydrogen peroxide inclusions in these icy satellite surfaces.