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Periodic escape of relativistic electrons from the Jovian magnetosphere
Author(s) -
Hill T. W.,
Carbary J. F.,
Dessler A. J.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl001i008p00333
Subject(s) - jovian , magnetosphere , physics , electron , jupiter (rocket family) , ionosphere , plasma , interplanetary spaceflight , astrophysics , geophysics , astronomy , saturn , planet , solar wind , space exploration , quantum mechanics
We adopt a model in which the Jovian magnetospheric tail is forced open by plasma that is accelerated out of the ionosphere by the centrifugal force of corotation. Any longitudinal asymmetry that exists in the ionospheric plasma source and/or the planetary magnetic field will cause a diurnal variation in the radial extent of the trapping region for energetic electrons. This diurnal variation in the extent of the particle trapping region can result in a time‐dependent loss of relativistic electrons from the Jovian magnetosphere, modulated at the planetary rotation period. The diurnal trapping process may be relevant to the observation of electron pulses in interplanetary space during the Pioneer 10 approach to Jupiter.