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Predictions for Uranus from a radiometric Bode's lawDeterminations by spacecraft of the low-frequency radio spectra and radiation beam geometry of the magnetospheres of earth, Jupiter, and Saturn now permit a reliable assessment of the overall efficiency of the solar wind in stimulating intense, nonthermal radio bursts from these magnetospheres. It is found that earlier estimates of how magnetospheric radio output scales with the solar wind energy input must be greatly revised, with the result that, while the efficiency is much lower than previously thought, it is remarkably uniform from planet to planet. A 'radimetric Bode's law' is formulated from which a planet's magnetic moment can be estimated from its radio emission output. This law is applied to estimate the low-frequency radio power likely to be measured for Uranus by Voyager 2. It is shown how measurements of Uranus's radio flux can be used to estimate the planetary magnetic moment and solar wind stand-off distance before the in situ measurements.
Document ID
19840065101
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Desch, M. D.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Kaiser, M. L.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Planetary Magnetospheres Branch, Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
August 30, 1984
Publication Information
Publication: Nature
Volume: 310
ISSN: 0028-0836
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
84A47888
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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