|
|
 |
|
|
Ann. Geophys., 26, 1819-1828, 2008
www.ann-geophys.net/26/1819/2008/
© European Geosciences Union 2008
A survey of Galileo plasma wave instrument observations of Jovian whistler-mode chorus
J. D. Menietti1, R. B. Horne2, D. A. Gurnett1, G. B. Hospodarsky1, C. W. Piker1, and J. B. Groene1
1University of Iowa, Dept. Physics and Astronomy, Iowa City, IA 52242-1479, USA
2British Antarctic Survey, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
Abstract. A survey of plasma wave observations at Jupiter obtained by the plasma wave
instrument on board the Galileo spacecraft is presented. The observations
indicate that chorus emissions are observed commonly in the Jovian
magnetosphere near the magnetic equator in the approximate radial range 6<r<10 RJ.
The survey includes almost all local times but not
equally sampled in radial distance due to the spacecraft trajectory. The
data suggest that chorus emissions are somewhat more intense on the dayside,
but this may be a result of insufficient nightside observations. The orbit
of Galileo is also restricted to ±3° of the Jovigraphic
equator, but the tilt of the magnetic field permits coverage of a range of
magnetic latitudes of −13°<λmag<+13°.
The similarities of chorus emissions to terrestrial observations are a good
reason to speculate that Jovian chorus emission may play a significant role
in the stochastic acceleration of electrons in the radial range 6–10 RJ as
recent studies indicate. These electrons may then be transported
inward by radial diffusion where they are additionally accelerated to form
the synchrotron radiation belt source.
Full Article in PDF (1141 KB) |
|
|
