Observation of Jupiter's Polar Cusps

Details Observation of Jupiter's Polar Cusps Observation of Jupiter's Polar Cusps

Dec 2003

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003agufmsm22b0236p&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2003, abstract #SM22B-0236

Physics

2704 Auroral Phenomena (2407), 2724 Magnetopause, Cusp, And Boundary Layers, 5737 Magnetospheres (2756), 5757 Remote Sensing, 6220 Jupiter

Scientific paper

Global analysis of the HST-STIS data from Jovian auroral observations has revealed the presence of a southern equivalent of the northern transient feature referred to as the northern polar cusp or as an 'auroral flare'. In both hemispheres the features are located near the open/closed field line boundary, and their longitudes follow a constant-magnetic-time profile, near noon, while Jupiter rotates. The spot brightness also varies consistently in both hemispheres. We suggest that these spots are indeed at the footprint of the Jovian polar cusps or in its close vicinity, and that their brightenings are indicative of transient reconnection processes with the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). A STIS spectrum reveals very penetrating primary particles, possibly up to ~200 keV "equivalent electron energy". This suggests the existence of a very efficient acceleration mechanism along near-cusp magnetic field lines, or of some sort of mixing with plasma from closed outer magnetosphere field lines, as discussed in the case of the Earth.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Observation of Jupiter's Polar Cusps does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Observation of Jupiter's Polar Cusps, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Observation of Jupiter's Polar Cusps will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1648770