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A nebula of gases from Io surrounding Jupiter

Author

Listed:
  • Stamatios M. Krimigis

    (Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University)

  • Donald G. Mitchell

    (Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University)

  • Douglas C. Hamilton

    (University of Maryland)

  • Jannis Dandouras

    (CNES)

  • Thomas P. Armstrong

    (Fundamental Technologies)

  • Scott J. Bolton

    (Jet Propulsion Laboratory)

  • Andrew F. Cheng

    (Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University)

  • George Gloeckler

    (University of Maryland)

  • K. C. Hsieh

    (University of Arizona)

  • Edwin P. Keath

    (Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University)

  • Norbert Krupp

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie)

  • Andreas Lagg

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie)

  • Louis J. Lanzerotti

    (Bell Laboratories)

  • Stefano Livi

    (Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University)

  • Barry H. Mauk

    (Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University)

  • Richard W. McEntire

    (Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University)

  • Edmond C. Roelof

    (Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University)

  • Berend Wilken

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie)

  • Donald J. Williams

    (Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University)

Abstract

Several planetary missions have reported1,2,3,4 the presence of substantial numbers of energetic ions and electrons surrounding Jupiter; relativistic electrons are observable up to several astronomical units (au) from the planet. A population of energetic (>30 keV) neutral particles also has been reported5, but the instrumentation was not able to determine the mass or charge state of the particles, which were subsequently labelled6 energetic neutral atoms. Although images showing the presence of the trace element sodium were obtained7, the source and identity of the neutral atoms—and their overall significance relative to the loss of charged particles from Jupiter's magnetosphere—were unknown. Here we report the discovery by the Cassini spacecraft of a fast (>103 km s-1) and hot magnetospheric neutral wind extending more than 0.5 au from Jupiter, and the presence of energetic neutral atoms (both hot and cold) that have been accelerated by the electric field in the solar wind. We suggest that these atoms originate in volcanic gases from Io, undergo significant evolution through various electromagnetic interactions, escape Jupiter's magnetosphere and then populate the environment around the planet. Thus a ‘nebula’ is created that extends outwards over hundreds of jovian radii.

Suggested Citation

  • Stamatios M. Krimigis & Donald G. Mitchell & Douglas C. Hamilton & Jannis Dandouras & Thomas P. Armstrong & Scott J. Bolton & Andrew F. Cheng & George Gloeckler & K. C. Hsieh & Edwin P. Keath & Norber, 2002. "A nebula of gases from Io surrounding Jupiter," Nature, Nature, vol. 415(6875), pages 994-996, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:415:y:2002:i:6875:d:10.1038_415994a
    DOI: 10.1038/415994a
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