Instability of equatorial protons in Jupiter's mid-magnetosphere

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA085iA01p00025· OSTI ID:5588467

Northrop, T G; Schardt, A W

Two different models for the distribution function are fit to the Jovian protons seen by Pioneer 10 inbound. The models reproduce the observed energy and angular distributions. These models are then used to assess the collisionless mirror instability. Because of the pancake proton angular distributions in the equatorial ring current region, the ring current particle population appears to be mirror unstable at times, with instability growth rates of approx.10 min. Such a time is consistent with observed proton flux autocorrelation times. An instability such as this (there are other candidates) may be responsible for the previously established proton flux flowing parallel to the magnetic field away from the equatorial region.

• Research Organization: Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Maryland 20771
• OSTI ID: 5588467
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 85:A1; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANGULAR DISTRIBUTION
ATMOSPHERES
CURRENTS
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ENERGY SPECTRA
INSTABILITY
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
JUPITER PLANET
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETARY MAGNETOSPHERES
PLANETS
PLASMA INSTABILITY
RING CURRENTS
SPECTRA