Plasma observations near jupiter: initial results from voyager 2. Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • The first of at least nine bow shock crossings observed on the inbound pass of Voyager 2 occurred at 98.8 Jupiter radii (R(J)) with final entry into the magnetosphere at 62 R(J). On both the inbound and outbound passes the plasma showed a tendency to move in the direction of corotation, as was observed on the inbound pass of Voyager 1. Positive ion densities and electron intensities observed by Voyager 2 are comparable within a factor of 2 to those seen by Voyager 1 at the same radial distance from Jupiter; the composition of the magnetospheric plasma is again dominated by heavy ions with a ratio of mass density relative to hydrogen of about 100/1. A series of dropouts of plasma intensity near Ganymede may be related to a complex interaction between Ganymede and the magnetospheric plasma. From the planetary spin modulation of the intensity of plasma electrons it is inferred that the plasma sheet is centered at the dipole magnetic equator out to a distance of 40 to 50 R(J) and deviates from it toward the rotational equator at larger distances. The longitudinal excursion of the plasma sheet lags behind the rotating dipole by a phase angle that increases with increasing radial distance.

publication date

  • November 23, 1979

has restriction

  • closed

Date in CU Experts

  • September 3, 2013 12:02 PM

Full Author List

  • Bridge HS; Belcher JW; Lazarus AJ; Sullivan JD; Bagenal F; McNutt RL; Ogilvie KW; Scudder JD; Sittler EC; Vasyliunas VM

author count

  • 11

Other Profiles

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0036-8075

Additional Document Info

start page

  • 972

end page

  • 976

volume

  • 206

issue

  • 4421