EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Wolff & Mendis 1983
Wolff, R.S. and Mendis, D.A. (1983). On the nature of the interaction of the Jovian magnetosphere with the icy galilean satellites. Journal of Geophysical Research 88: doi: 10.1029/JA088iA06p04749. issn: 0148-0227.

The nature of the interactions between the Jovian magnetosphere and Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto is examined. Effects of plasma and micrometeoroid bombardment of each satellite are considered in an attempt to understand the influences of these exogenic processes on the surface properties of each of the three moons. Earth-based infrared observations of satellite surface temperatures are used as a basis to calculate (sublimated) H2O vapor pressures for each of the three satellites as a function of satellite latitude and local time. Sublimated and sputtered H2O leads to a net O2 atmosphere on each of the three moons, and the effectiveness of such an atmosphere in preventing the Jovian plasma from reaching each satellite surface is considered under a variety of magnetospheric conditions. The effects of the magnitude and orientation of possible satellite magnetic fields were also studied and used to estimate the properties of the satellite magnetospheres under conditions appropriate to each moon being alternately inside and outside the Jovian plasma sheet. In addition, the orbits of charged micrometeoroids in Jupiter's magnetosphere were examined to determine the relative flux of these particles over the surfaces of each of the three satellites. Finally, possible observational effects of continual (over geological time periods) plasma and micrometeroid bombardment of the satellite surfaces are considered and compared with available laboratory simulations and earth- and space-based observations of Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. These efforts suggest that plasma and micrometeoroid bombardment of the icy Galilean satellites could act to substantially modify the surface properties of each of the three moons, resulting in 'leading-trailing' asymmetries of the satellite surfaces not unlike those observed in the satellite spectral and polarization properties.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit