AbstractThe interactions between the Galilean satellites and the plasma of the Jovian magnetosphere, acting on spatial scales from that of ion gyroradii to that of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), change the plasma momentum, temperature, and phase space distribution functions and generate strong electrical currents. In the immediate vicinity of the moons, these currents are often highly structured, possibly because of varying ionospheric conductivity and possibly because of non-uniform pickup rates. Ion pickup changes the velocity space distribution of energetic particles, f(v), where v is velocity. Distributions become more anisotropic and can become unstable to wave generation. That there would be interesting plasma responses near Io was fully anticipated, but one of the surprises of Galileo's mission was the range of effects observed at all of the Galilean satellites. Electron beams and an assortment of MHD and plasma waves develop in the regions around the moons, although each interaction region is different. Coupling of the plasma near the moons to the Jovian ionosphere creates auroral footprints and, in the case of Io, produces a leading trail in the ionosphere that extends almost half way around Jupiter. The energy source driving the auroral signatures is not fully understood but must require field aligned electric fields that accelerate elections at the feet of the flux tubes of Io and Europa, bodies that interact directly with the incident plasma, and at the foot of the flux tube of Ganymede, a body that is shielded from direct interaction with the background plasma by its magnetospheric cavity.


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    Title :

    Moon–magnetosphere interactions: a tutorial


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Advances in Space Research ; 33 , 11 ; 2061-2077


    Publication date :

    2003-08-18


    Size :

    17 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Moon-magnetosphere interactions: a tutorial

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    Moon-Magnetosphere Interactions: A Tutorial

    Kivelson, M. G. / International Council of Scientific Unions | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2004



    Planet/Magnetosphere/Satellite Couplings: Observations from the Moon

    Prange, R. / Committee on Space Research | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994