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Limit on rotational energy available to excite Jovian auroraThere is a fundamental relationship between the power that is extracted from Jupiter's rotation to drive magnetospheric processes and the rate at which mass is injected into the Io plasma torus. Half of this power is consumed by bulk motion of the plasma and the other half represents an upper limit on the energy from rotation available for dissipation and in particular to excite the Jovian aurora. Since the rotation of the planet is the only plausible source of energy, the power inferred from the observed auroral intensities requires a plasma injection rate of 2.6 x 10 to the 29th AMU/sec or greater. This in turn leads to a residence time of a torus particle of 48 days or less. These results raise doubts about the applicability of equilibrium thermodynamics to the determination of plasma parameters in the Io torus.
Document ID
19810033031
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Eviatar, A.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Siscoe, G. L.
(California, University Los Angeles, Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1980
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 7
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
81A17435
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS7-100
CONTRACT_GRANT: JPL-953733
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-87
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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