Io's wobbling flux tube and nonuniform surface conductivity - Longitude control of decametric emission and other magnetospheric interactions

Study of systematic relations between Io's flux tube orientation, decametric emission control, and areal surface properties suggest a model that can account for longitude control of principal Io-associated decametric emissions and other observed Io/magnetosphere interactions. The model is based on the fact that Jupiter's magnetic field structure is dominated by a tilted dipole rotating at a different angular velocity than Io's orbital motion. This caused Io's flux tube near Io to wobble (precess) with respect to Io's rotational axis. Discrete contact junctions are invoked between the active current-sheet regions in the flux tube and Io's surface.