Modulation of Jovian electron intensity in interplanetary space by corotating interaction regions

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/182339· OSTI ID:7130623

Conlon, T F; Simpson, J A

Large-scale intensity variations of Jovian electrons in the energy range 3--6 MeV persisting for several days were observed with instrumentation on the Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 spacecraft out to several AU from Jupiter along the pre- and post-planetary encounter trajectories. The corotating interaction regions (CIRs), found by Smith and Wolfe on these missions to be approx.25 day recurring regions of enhanced magnetic fields bounded by jumps in solar wind velocity and frequently shocks, are shown to be impenetrable ''barriers'' for the Jovian electrons propagating in the interplanetary medium. Thus, the principal electron intensity variations are due to the modulating effects of CIRs and are not due to either variations in escape rate of electrons from the magnetosphere or interplanetary electron acceleration. The implications for electron observations at the orbit of Earth are discussed. (AIP)

• Research Organization: Enrico Fermi Institute and Department of Physics, University of Chicago
• OSTI ID: 7130623
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States) Vol. 211:1; ISSN AJLEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATMOSPHERES
ELECTRON SPECTRA
ENERGY RANGE
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS
INTERPLANETARY SPACE
JUPITER PLANET
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MEV RANGE
MEV RANGE 01-10
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETARY MAGNETOSPHERES
PLANETS
PLASMA
RELATIVISTIC PLASMA
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
SPACE
SPECTRA
VARIATIONS