Ions from the Galilean satellites form a thin equatorial current sheet as they diffuse outward in the Jovian magnetosphere. We present here a self-consistent quantitative model of the magnetic field perturbation produced by such ions, assuming loss-free radial transport, strong equatorial confinement, and a static balance between magnetic tension and the corotational centrifugal force. The resulting field configuration exhibits a sharp cusplike distortion near the equatorial plane, resembling qualitatively the 'magnetodisc' configuration inferred from Pioneer encounter data. The model contains one adjustable parameter that is related to the (unknown) mass injection rate at the satellite(s); the value of this parameter determines the distance at which the outward distortion becomes important. Comparison of observed and model field configurations may provide a means of estimating the rate of mass injection from the satellites. |