Electron densities in Jupiter’s outer magnetosphere determined from Voyager 1 and 2 plasma wave spectra

0357542 - ÚFA 2011 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Barnhart, B. L. - Kurth, W. S. - Groene, J. B. - Faden, J. B. - Santolík, Ondřej - Gurnett, D. A.
Electron densities in Jupiter’s outer magnetosphere determined from Voyager 1 and 2 plasma wave spectra.
Journal of Geophysical Research. Roč. 114, - (2009), A05218/1-A05218/14. ISSN 0148-0227
Grant - others:NASA(US) NNG05GG98G
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z30420517
Keywords : Electron densities * Jupiter * magnetosphere * Voyager
Subject RIV: BL - Plasma and Gas Discharge Physics
Impact factor: 3.082, year: 2009

This paper presents an electron plasma density data set for Jupiter’s outer magnetosphere derived from high-resolution wideband measurements of low-frequency radio and plasma waves obtained by Voyagers 1 and 2 during their 1979 flybys. This work utilizes a new data processing tool that makes important improvements in the identification of the plasma frequency and other characteristic frequencies of the plasma, thereby allowing for the determination of the electron density within the Jovian magnetosphere. Furthermore, this work includes the interpretation of complex spectra including sometimes overlapping wave phenomena including continuum radiation, Z mode emissions, and whistler mode waves. Using the theory of cold plasmas and measurements of the magnetic field from which the electron cyclotron frequency can be calculated, we establish an extensive set of reasoning for interpreting cutoffs and resonances in the wave spectra to identify characteristic frequencies of the plasma.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0195797