Observations of plasmas in the Jovian magnetosphere

Details Observations of plasmas in the Jovian magnetosphere Observations of plasmas in the Jovian magnetosphere

Jan 1975

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1975opjm.book.....f&link_type=abstract

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Physics

1

Jupiter (Planet), Pioneer 10 Space Probe, Planetary Magnetospheres, Plasmapause, Protons, Astronomical Models, Europa, Jupiter Probes, Natural Satellites, Plasmas (Physics)

Scientific paper

Large intensities of low-energy protons were observed deep within the Jovian magnetosphere with the plasma instrumentation on Pioneer 10 during the encounter of this space probe with Jupiter. The energy range of the electrostatic analyzer was 108 eV to 4.80 keV during encounter. Inside the flux tubes of the Galilean moon Io is a 'plasmasphere' of protons with relatively high densities, 100/cu cm, extending toward the planet to at least 2.8 RJ. The characteristic thermal energies of these protons are about 100 eV. The flux tubes of Io are positioned on a severe decrease of these densities with increasing Jovicentric radial distances-a plasmapause. The relationship of Io to this plasmapause is quite likely to be fundamental to the Io-modulation of decametric radio emissions. The proton densities in the vicinity of Io are also sufficiently high to limit the azimuthal extent of the partial torus of hydrogen gas from Io by the mechanism of charge exchange. At greater distances, beyond the plasmapause, is found a great torus of plasma encircling Jupiter with densities in the range 10 to 15 per cu cm and thermal energies about 400 eV. The moon Europa is embedded in this torus, or 'ring current'. This ring current is extended into a thin plasma disc at greater radial distances.

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