Abstract
A model of the plasma distribution in the middle Jovian magnetosphere is considered. The distribution of the background plasma along the magnetic lines of force under the action of the centrifugal force and the force of gravity is analyzed in the framework of the diffusive equilibrium, taking into account the finite angle between the magnetic and rotational axes. It is shown that the dense structures of the background plasma have the form of a warped sheet located between the magnetic and centrifugal equators, and of two mirror symmetrical “petals” in the vicinity of the polar cusps. The hydrodynamic stability of the dense plasma sheet, formed under the action of the centrifugal force, is studied. The steady state radial plasma distribution at the threshold of the instability with respect to the small-scale MHD perturbations is determined. The finite conductivity of the Jovian ionosphere is taken into account. The influences of the longitudinal inhomogeneity of the perturbations, the finite ion Larmor radius, and the curvature of the magnetic field lines on the threshold of the instability are estimated. Some aspects of the formation of the energetic particle distribution in the middle Jovian magnetosphere are considered. The suggested model shows reliable agreement with the known experimental data and is also useful in describing the background plasma distribution in the magnetospheres of Neptune and Uranus.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
R. B. McKibben and M. A. Simpson, “Evidence from charged particle studies for the distortion of the Jovian magnetosphere,”J. Geophys. Res.,79, 3545 (1974).
T. W. Hill, A. J. Dessler, and F. C. Michel, “Configuration of the Jovian magnetosphere,”Geophys. Res. Lett.,1, 1 (1974).
K. W. Behannon, L. F. Burlaga, and N. F. Ness, “The Jovian magnetotail and its current sheet,”J. Geophys. Res. 86, 8385 (1981).
J. W. Belcher, C. K. Goertz, and H. S. Bridge, “The low energy plasma in the Jovian magnetosphere,”Geophys. Res. Lett.,7, 17 (1980).
S. M. Krimigis, J. F. Carbary, E. P. Keath, C. O. Bostrom, and W. I. Axford, “Characteristics of hot plasma in the Jovian magnetosphere: Results from the Voyager spacecraft,”J. Geophys. Res.,86, 8227 (1981).
F. L. Scarf, D. A. Gurnett and W. S. Kurth, “Jupiter plasma wave observations: An initial Voyager 1 overview,”Science,204, 991 (1979).
J. A. Van Allen, D. N. Backer, B. A. Randall, M. F. Thomsen, D. D. Sentman, and H. R. Flindt, “Energetic electrons in the magnetosphere of Jupiter,”Science,183, 309 (1974).
E. J. Smith, L. Davis, Jr., D. E. Jones, P. L. Coleman, Jr., D. S. Colburn, P. Dyal, C. P. Sonett, and A. M. A. Frandsen, “The planetary magnetic field and magnetosphere of Jupiter: Pioneer 10,”J. Geophys. Res.,79, 3501 (1974).
T. G. Nortrop, C. K. Goertz, and M. F. Thomsen, “The magnetosphere of Jupiter as observed with Pioneer 10: 2. Nonrigid rotation of the magnetodisc,”J. Geophys. Res.,79, 3579 (1974).
C. K. Goertz, “The current sheet in Jupiter's magnetosphere,”J. Geophys. Res.,81, 3368 (1976).
J. W. Belcher, “The low-energy plasma in the Jovian magnetosphere,” in:Physics of the Jovian Magnetosphere (edited by A. J. Dessler), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England (1983), pp. 68–105.
A. A. Angerami and J. O. Thomas, “Studies of planetary atmospheres,”J. Geophys. Res.,69, 4537 (1964).
P. A. Bespalov and S. S. Davydenko, “The shape of dense structures in the plasma envelopes of slowly rotating hot magnetic stars,”Sov. Astron. Lett.,17, 342 (1990).
J. E. P. Connerney, M. H. Acuña, and N. F. Ness, “The magnetic field of Neptune,”J. Geophys. Res.,96, 19023 (1991).
A. B. Mikhailovskii,Theory of Plasma Instabilities, Vol. 2, Instabilities of an Inhomogeneous Plasma, Consultants Bureau, New York-London (1974).
P. A. Bespalov and V. V. Zheleznyakov, “Formation of the disks around hot magnetic stars under the action of radiation pressure,”Sov. Astron. Lett.,16, 442 (1990).
M. H. Acuña, K. W. Behannon, and J. E. P. Connerney, “Jupiter's magnetic field and magnetosphere,” in:Physics of the Jovian Magnetosphere (edited by A. J. Dessler), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England (1983), pp. 1–50.
P. A. Bespalov and S. S. Davydenko, “The stability of dense disks in magnetospheres of hot degenerate stars and rotating planets,”Sov. Astron.,70, 79 (1993).
Z. X. Liu, “Modified disc model of Jupiter's magnetosphere,”J. Geophys. Res.,87, 1691 (1982).
R. M. Thorn, “Microscopic plasma processes in the Jovian magnetosphere,” in:Physics of the Jovian Magnetosphere (edited by A. J. Dessler), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England (1983), pp. 454–488.
P. A. Bespalov and V. Yu. Trakhtengerts, “Cyclotron instability in the Earth radiation belts,” in:Reviews of Plasma Physics (edited by M. A. Leontovich), Vol. 10, Consultants Bureau, New York-London (1986), pp. 155–292.
T. W. Hill, A. J. Dessler, and C. K. Goertz, “Magnetospheric models,” in:Physics of the Jovian Magnetosphere (edited by A. J. Dessler), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England (1983), pp. 353–395.
Additional information
Institute of Applied Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Nizhny Novgorod. Traslated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 37, No. 5, pp. 580–595, May, 1994.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bespalov, P.A., Davydenko, S.S. On the structure of the middle Jovian magnetosphere. Radiophys Quantum Electron 37, 367–376 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01045687
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01045687