Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Sep 1995
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1995apj...450..450s&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal v.450, p.450
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
63
Planets And Satellites: Individual Io, Planets And Satellites: Individual Jupiter, Plasmas, Videotapes
Scientific paper
New high-quality images of the Io plasma torus allow improved measurements of its structure. We have analyzed almost 80 images of [S II] 6731 Å emissions from S+ revealing interesting structures in the radial, local time, latitudinal, and longitudinal dimensions. The averaged radial profile shows a maximum intensity at 5.71Rj, significantly inside Io's orbit at 5.91Rj. The radial structure is offset 0.14Rj toward the dawn (east) side of Jupiter, and emissions are ˜20% brighter on the dusk (west.) In the latitudinal dimension, the plasma torus "illuminates" the centrifugal equator of Jupiter's magnetic field. The centrifugal equator derived from our data is generally consistent with the "O6 + current sheet" field model derived by spacecraft measurements, but some unexplained differences stand out. We find lower ion temperatures in the "active sector," perhaps a direct consequence of higher emission rates there. We also report the puzzling result that the ribbon (the most prominent plasma feature encircling Jupiter) is not centered on Jupiter's rotation axis or on the offset magnetic axis. The origin of the structure we describe here remains enigmatic.
Schneider Nicholas M.
Trauger John T.
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