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- The study shows the first evidence of an ionospheric interaction with the equatorial magnetic field of Jupiter
- Contrary to the theories of the past, the magnetic equator is surprisingly simple but the ionosphere between the equator and the pole is very complex
- Results Complement Recent Data from NASA's Juno Mission
The discovery of a dark ribbon of low hydrogen ion emissions that surrounds Jupiter has upset earlier reflections on the magnetic equator of the giant planet
. The University of Leicester has identified the weakened H3 + emissions ribbon near the jovigraphic equator using the NSFCam instrument of the NASA InfraRed Telescope Facility, the first evidence of an ionospheric interaction localized with the magnetic field of Jupiter.
] Astronomy of Nature Today (July 23)
In the past, Jupiter's ionospheric studies have focused almost exclusively on the poles of the planet, looking at the aurora borealis. These observations have seen most of the Jupiter ionosphere relatively smooth and uninteresting.
This latest study has opened the entire ionosphere for study and suggests that the ionosphere of Jupiter is as complex as our observations can measure with levels of detail yet to be revealed. It also demonstrates that, despite the differences in size and structure, Earth and Jupiter have a similar localized ribbon that winds around the planet's magnetic equator.
The ionosphere is the ionized part of the upper atmosphere of Jupiter. Here, collisions between photoelectrons and H2 are a significant source of ions H3 +
An explanation of black ribbon is that electrons preferentially travel along magnetic field lines, these are diverted to higher latitudes high of the magnetic equator. Recent data from NASA's Juno satellite support the theory that this ribbon is a signature for the magnetic equator of Jupiter
senior author Dr. Tom Stallard, associate professor of planetary astronomy from the University of Leicester has stated: "The first time we saw the black ribbon sneaking around Jupiter in our data, we were sure we saw something special about Jupiter. The result was so surprising and yet clear, it took us all by surprise, and we strongly suspected and speculated that the feature was caused by the magnetic equator of Jupiter.
"It was a great relief for us that a few months before Jupiter's first magnetic model was released from the Juno Probe, providing an unprecedented view of the equatorial magnetic field of Jupiter, and the magnetic equator measured almost exactly aligned with our black emission ribbon.
"Our observations, as well as recent measurements by Juno spacecraft, surprised us. Some of the auroral regions of Jupiter were very complex, and so many earlier models predicted a very complex magnetic equator, but the magnetic equator is actually much more similar to that of the Earth
"Scientists working with Juno have suggested that this may indicate that the complex distortions of Jupiter's magnetic field can occur at relatively shallow depths of the planet, because even though the equator is surprisingly simple, we see a lot of complexity in the ionosphere between the equator and the pole.This suggests that the magnetic field of Jupiter in these regions is much more complex than that of the Earth and suggests that Juno takes observations at higher resolution, it will continue to reveal a complexity of even thinner scale. "
Scientists used 13,501 images of H3 + emissions totaled 48 nights between 1995 and 2000. This reveals the rate of change in Jupiter's complex magnetic field and gives insight into what is happening deep within Jupiter. It also suggests that the location of Jupiter's magnetic equator has remained stable over the 15 years separating these two independent measurements.
The sightings identified a number of other dark localized areas, including the area identified last year as the Great Cold Spot. by the same team of scientists. The Great Cold Spot is also thought to be caused by the effects of the planet's magnetic field, with its spectacular polar auroras driving energy into the atmosphere as heat circulating around the planet and creating a region cooling in the thermosphere.
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This research was funded in part by the Science and Technology Facilities Council of UK Research and Innovation.
Notes to Editors:
For more information, contact Tom Stallard at 0116 252 3589 or [email protected], or contact the University Press Department. Leicester for a mobile contact.
YouTube Video Links:
Projection of Jupiter's ionosphere map, allowing us to look at the ionosphere as the planet rotates as it would be seen from Earth: https: /
Jupiter ionosphere rotating globe focusing on low infrared emission at the equator: https: /
Jupiter's rotating ionosphere globe covered with three different measurements of Jupiter magnetic equator: https: /
Looking down at the North Pole of the Planet , our view moving from the pole to the equator: https: /
Movie highlighting a wide range of different intensities, from the very bright aurora to the poles of the planet at the emission much weaker near the equator: https: /
Jupiter's rotating ionosphere globe covered with three different measurements of the magnetic equator of Jupiter: https : /
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