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

Detailed Reference Information
Thorne & Scarf 1984
Thorne, R.M. and Scarf, F.L. (1984). Voyager 1 evidence for ion-cyclotron instability in the vicinity of the IO plasma torus. Geophysical Research Letters 11: doi: 10.1029/GL011i003p00263. issn: 0094-8276.

A pronounced enhancement in low frequency wave activity was observed as Voyager 1 traversed the Io plasma torus. Wave intensification was particularly strong in the frequency range below the proton gyrofrequency. The data are interpreted as evidence for the excitation of ion-cyclotron waves over the same radial range, L>6, where energetic ring current ions exhibit a pronounced depletion in phase space density owing presumably to strong pitch-angle scattering loss to the atmosphere. While the average wave intensity observed by Voyager was typically an order of magnitude smaller than the level ESD' 2f~10-7 to 10-6 (v/m)2Hz-1 required for strong diffusion there were several prolonged intervals where the waves surpassed this critical value. Because the Voyager trajectory was far from the predicted source region (&lgr;>15¿) for ion-cyclotron instability, the lower intensity of msot waves reaching the spacecraft could be evidence for significant resonant absorption by thermal electrons and ions in the torus. If the more intense emissions, observed intermittently by Voyager, are representative of waves in the high latitude source region, the resulting pitch-angle scattering would be rapid enough to explain the observed energetic ion losses and the excitation of intense Jovian auroral emissions of field lines passing through the torus.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
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