Magnetic field studies at Jupiter by Voyager 1: preliminary results

Journal Article · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Science; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.204.4396.982· OSTI ID:5699841

Ness, N F ^[1]; Acuna, M H; Lepping, R P; Burlaga, L F; Behannon, K W; Neubauer, F M

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1. Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD

Results obtained by the Goddard Space Flight Center magnetometers on Voyager 1 are described. These results concern the large-scale configuration of the Jovian bow shock and magnetopause, and the magnetic field in both the inner and outer magnetosphere. There is evidence that a magnetic tail extending away from the planet on the nightside is formed by the solar wind-Jovian field interaction. This is much like earth's magnetosphere but is a new configuration for Jupiter's magnetosphere not previously considered from earlier Pioneer data. The analysis and interpretation of magnetic field perturbations associated with intense electrical currents (approximately 5 x 10/sup 6/ amperes) flowing near or in the magnetic flux tube linking Jupiter with the satellite Io and induced by the relative motion between Io and the corotating Jovian magnetosphere is reported. These currents may be an important source of heating the ionosphere and interior of Io through Joule dissipation.

• OSTI ID: 5699841
• Journal Information: Science; (United States), Journal Name: Science; (United States) Vol. 204; ISSN SCIEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATMOSPHERES
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
JUPITER PLANET
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETARY MAGNETOSPHERES
PLANETS
SATELLITES
SHOCK WAVES
SPACE VEHICLES
VOYAGER SPACE PROBES