Comparing Galileo Electron Density Measurements to the Khurana and Kivelson Jovian Current Sheet Model

Details Comparing Galileo Electron Density Measurements to the Khurana and Kivelson Jovian Current Sheet Model Comparing Galileo Electron Density Measurements to the Khurana and Kivelson Jovian Current Sheet Model

May 2002

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002agusmsm41a..05a&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Spring Meeting 2002, abstract #SM41A-05

Physics

2740 Magnetospheric Configuration And Dynamics, 2756 Planetary Magnetospheres (5443, 5737, 6030), 2764 Plasma Sheet, 2772 Plasma Waves And Instabilities

Scientific paper

Electron density has been determined throughout much of Galileo's primary mission at Jupiter (December 7, 1995 to November 6, 1997) by observing plasma waves measured by the plasma wave instrument on board the spacecraft. At radial distances less than about 20 RJ from Jupiter, upper hybrid emissions can be used to determine the density, while the low frequency cutoff of continuum radiation can be used to do so at radial distances greater than 20 RJ. The density data set is used to identify spacecraft encounters with Jupiter's magnetotail current sheet during the primary mission by assuming that electron density is highest at the center of the current sheet. These encounters are compared to predictions of the current sheet location made by Khurana and Kivelson's 1998 current sheet model, and data from the Galileo magnetometer instrument. As Jupiter rotates, the spacecraft encounters one pair of plasma sheet crossings during each ten-hour rotation period. During these encounters, Galileo passes through the central current sheet once moving from north to south, and once from south to north. Electron density is usually seen to increase, reach a maximum value when Galileo is near the center of the current sheet, and then decrease as the spacecraft leaves the plasma sheet. Average densities measured at the center of the current sheet range between 1 cm-3 at 20 RJ, and 0.01 cm-3 at 120 RJ. Comparison with the Khurana and Kivelson model indicates good correlation between electron density maxima and predicted current sheet location for radial distances less than about 50 RJ. At larger radial distances, the co-incidence is significantly less. This same radial relationship also exists between the density maxima, and the measured current sheet locations identified by the reversal of the magnetic field's radial component. This may indicate physical differences in current sheet structure at larger radial distances, and potentially suggests adjustments to the Khurana and Kivelson model.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Comparing Galileo Electron Density Measurements to the Khurana and Kivelson Jovian Current Sheet Model 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 Comparing Galileo Electron Density Measurements to the Khurana and Kivelson Jovian Current Sheet Model, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Comparing Galileo Electron Density Measurements to the Khurana and Kivelson Jovian Current Sheet Model will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1725024