The time variability of Jupiter's synchrotron radiation

Details The time variability of Jupiter's synchrotron radiation The time variability of Jupiter's synchrotron radiation

Feb 1991

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1991phdt........30b&link_type=abstract

Ph.D. Thesis California Univ., Berkeley.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Jupiter (Planet), Periodic Variations, Planetary Radiation, Radiation Belts, Solar Planetary Interactions, Synchrotron Radiation, Convection, Deep Space Network, Electrons, Lightning, Neutral Atmospheres, Particle Diffusion, Radio Astronomy, Solar Wind, Wave-Particle Interactions, Whistlers

Scientific paper

The time variability of the Jovian synchrotron emission is investigated by analyzing radio observations of Jupiter at decimetric wavelengths. The observations are composed from two distinct sets of measurements addressing both short term (days to weeks) and long term (months to years) variability. The study of long term variations utilizes a set of measurements made several times each month with the NASA Deep Space Network (DNS) antennas operating at 2295 MHz (13.1 cm). The DSN data set, covering 1971 through 1985, is compared with a set of measurements of the solar wind from a number of Earth orbiting spacecraft. The analysis indicates a maximum correlation between the synchrotron emission and the solar wind ram pressure with a two year time lag. Physical mechanisms affecting the synchrotron emission are discussed with an emphasis on radial diffusion. Calculations are performed that suggest the correlation is consistent with inward adiabatic diffusion of solar wind particles driven by Brice's model of ionospheric neutral wind convection (Brice 1972). The implication is that the solar wind could be a source of particles of Jupiter's radiation belts. The investigation of short term variability focuses on a three year Jupiter observing program using the University of California's Hat Creek radio telescope operating at 1400 MHz (21 cm). Measurements are made every two days during the months surrounding opposition. Results from the three year program suggest short term variability near the 10-20 percent level but should be considered inconclusive due to scheduling and observational limitations. A discussion of magneto-spheric processes on short term timescales identifies wave-particle interactions as a candidate source. Further analysis finds that the short term variations could be related to whistler mode wave-particles interactions in the radiation belts associated with atmospheric lightning on Jupiter. However, theoretical calculations on wave particle interactions imply thought if whistler mode waves are to interact with the synchrotron emitting electrons.

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