Multiply reflected standing Alfven waves in the IO torus: Pioneer 10 observations

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL008i012p01281· OSTI ID:5655195

Walker, R; Kivelson, M

Observations from the Voyager 1 pass by the Io flux tube strongly indicate that large amplitude standing Alfven waves are generated as Jovian plasma flows past Io. Recently Gurnett and Goertz (1981) have proposed that this Io generated standing Alfven wave system extends an appreciable way around the Io L-shell. In this paper, we present observations of magnetic perturbations found in the Pioneer 10 record as it crossed the Io L-shell. The field perturbations are qualitatively consistent with the passage of the spacecraft through a standing Alfven wave pattern. The observations imply an Alfven Mach number of 0.03, which is 1/5 of the value inferred from Voyager 1 observations. This implies a lower plasma density at the time of the Pioneer 10 flyby.

• Research Organization: Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024
• OSTI ID: 5655195
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 8:12; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALFVEN WAVES
ATMOSPHERES
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
JUPITER PLANET
MACH NUMBER
PIONEER SPACE PROBES
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETARY MAGNETOSPHERES
PLANETS
PLASMA DENSITY
SATELLITES
SPACE VEHICLES
VEHICLES
VELOCITY