An explanation for the alternating north-south asymmetry of Io's sodium cloud

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

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Io, Ionospheric Ion Density, Jupiter Atmosphere, Plasma Clouds, Sodium Vapor, Space Plasmas, Toroidal Plasmas, Electron Energy, Electron Impact, High Temperature Plasmas, Hot Electrons, Ion Temperature, Planetary Atmospheres, Planetary Magnetic Fields, Spatial Distribution, Voyager 1 Spacecraft

Scientific paper

The hot Jovian plasma torus discovered by Voyager 1 is responsible for the periodic intensity variations of Io's sodium cloud, which are correlated with Io's magnetic latitude. The plasma torus must be a long-lived phenomenon in spite of its apparent absence at the time of the Pioneer flybys. The hot electrons (100,000 K) must be concentrated about one Jupiter radius from the magnetic equator in order to produce the observed variations. Electron impact ionization in the hot plasma torus is strong enough to form and to maintain Io's ionosphere; the hot plasma torus may be the dominant agent forming the ionosphere. Io's bound atmosphere is dense enough that the plasma torus electrons cannot cause a noticeable variation in its Na emission intensity.

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