Jupiter's magnetic field and magnetosphereThe Jovian magnetosphere is described on the basis of observations made by vector helium magnetometers aboard Pioneers 10 and 11. The results obtained from the two encounters are combined without emphasizing details peculiar to either of them. It is shown that near the planet, Jupiter's field is that of an eccentric tilted dipole with some admixture of higher-order terms; in this respect, it is similar to the earth's field, although it is 10 times as strong and has the opposite polarity. The magnetic field measurements reveal the existence of 3 distinct regions within the magnetosphere: outer magnetosphere, inner magnetosphere, and middle magnetosphere. The properties of these three regions are discussed, with observations being explained in terms of plausible physical causes. The observations are compared with several large-scale models of the entire magnetosphere. These observations do not favor models based on the continual outflow or convection of plasma from the Jovian magnetosphere in the vicinity of the equator.
Document ID
19770029180
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Smith, E. J. (California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)
Davis, L., Jr. (California Institute of Technology Pasadena, Calif., United States)
Jones, D. E. (Brigham Young University Provo, Utah, United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1976
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: Colloquium on Jupiter: Studies of the interior, atmosphere, magnetosphere and satellites