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Science 25 January 1974:
Vol. 183. no. 4122, pp. 309 - 311
DOI: 10.1126/science.183.4122.309
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Articles

Energetic Electrons in the Magnetosphere of Jupiter

J. A. Van Allen 1, D. N. Baker 1, B. A. Randall 1, M. F. Thomsen 1, D. D. Sentman 1, and H. R. Flindt 1

1 Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242

Observations of energetic electrons (gsim 0.07 million electron volts) show that the outer magnetosphere of Jupiter consists of a thin disklike, quasitrapping region extending from about 20 to 100 planetary radii (RJ). This magnetodisk is confined to the vicinity of the magnetic equatorial plane and appears to be an approximate figure of revolution about the magnetic axis of the planet. Hard trapping is observed within a radial distance of about 20 RJ. The omnidirectional intensity J0 of electrons with energy gsim 21 million electron volts within the region 3 lang r lang 20 RJ is given by the following provisional expression in terms of radial distance r and magnetic latitude thgr: J0 = 2.1 x 108 exp[-(r/a) - (thgr/b)2]. In this expression J0 is particles per square centimeter per second; a = 1.52 RJ for 3 le r le 20 RJ; and b = 15° for 3 le r le 10 RJ, diminishing gradually for larger r. There is tentative evidence for mild effects of the Galilean satellite Europa and possibly Io and Ganymede but not Callisto.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Erosion of Galilean Satellite Surfaces by Jovian Magnetosphere Particles.
R. E. Johnson, R. E. JOHNSON, L. J. LANZEROTTI, W. L. BROWN, and T. P. ARMSTRONG (1981)
Science 212, 1027-1030
   Abstract »    PDF »
Hot Plasma Environment at Jupiter: Voyager 2 Results.
S. M. KRIMIGIS, T. P. ARMSTRONG, W. I. AXFORD, C. O. BOSTROM, C. Y. FAN, G. GLOECKLER, L. J. LANZEROTTI, E. P. KEATH, R. D. ZWICKL, J. F. CARBARY, et al. (1979)
Science 206, 977-984
   Abstract »    PDF »
Low-Energy Charged Particle Environment at Jupiter: A First Look.
S. M. KRIMIGIS, T. P. ARMSTRONG, W. I. AXFORD, C. O. BOSTROM, C. Y. FAN, G. GLOECKLER, L. J. LANZEROTTI, E. P. KEATH, R. D. ZWICKL, J. F. CARBARY, et al. (1979)
Science 204, 998-1003
   Abstract »    PDF »
Pioneer 10 Jovian Encounter: Radiation Dose and Implications for Biological Lethality.
M. W. Miller, M. W. Miller, G. E. Kaufman, and H. D. Maillie (1975)
Science 187, 738-739
   Abstract »    PDF »


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