Abstract
THE transfer of angular momentum from a central rotating body in the presence of a magnetic field has been discussed in connection with the evolutionary history of the Solar System1. We here consider angular momentum transfer in the inner Jovian satellite system. Electron flux measurements near Io's flux tube2, and theoretical estimates of the electric current flowing through Io's flux tube3 are used to estimate the angular momentum transfer during the evolutionary history of the Jovian system. We find that, under certain conditions, those currents are sufficient to produce an angular momentum transfer from Jupiter equal to the present angular momentum of the inner satellites.
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MOGRO-CAMPERO, A. Angular momentum transfer to the inner Jovian satellites. Nature 258, 692–693 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/258692a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/258692a0
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