Plasma observations near Jupiter: initial results from Voyager 1

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

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.206.4421.972· OSTI ID:5823514

Bridge, H S; Belcher, J W; Lazarus, A J

Extensive measurements of low-energy positive ions and electrons were made throughout the Jupiter encounter of Voyager 1. The bow shock and magnetopause were crossed several times at distances consistent with variations in the upstream solar wind pressure measured on Voyager 2. During the inbound pass, the number density increased by six orders of magnitude between the innermost magnetopause crossing at approx. 47 Jupiter radii and near closest approach at approx. 5 Jupiter radii; the plasma flow during this period was predominately in the direction of corotation. Marked increases in number density were observed twice per planetary rotation, near the magnetic equator. Jupiterward of the Io plasma torus, a cold, corotating plasma was observed and the energy/charge spectra show well-resolved, heavy-ion peaks at mass-to-charge ratios A/Z* = 8, 16, 32 and 64.

• Research Organization: Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge
• OSTI ID: 5823514
• 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
ELECTRON DENSITY
ION DENSITY
JUPITER PLANET
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETARY MAGNETOSPHERES
PLANETS
PLASMASPHERE
SHOCK WAVES
SPACE VEHICLES
VOYAGER SPACE PROBES