A Numerical Model for the Interaction of Io-Generated Alfvén Waves with Jupiter’s Magnetosphere and Ionosphere | CU Experts

The interaction of Io with the co-rotating magnetosphere of Jupiter is; known to produce Alfven wings that couple the moon to Jupiter's; ionosphere. We present first results from a new numerical model to; describe the propagation of these Alfven waves in this system. The model; is cast in magnetic dipole coordinates and includes a dense plasma torus; that is centered around the centrifugal equator. Results are presented; for two density models, showing the dependence of the interaction on the; magnetospheric density. Model results are presented for the case when Io; is near the centrifugal and magnetic equators as well as when Io is at; its northernmost magnetic latitude. The effect of the conductance of; Jupiter's ionosphere is considered, showing that a long auroral; footprint tail is favored by high Pedersen conductance in the; ionosphere. The current patterns in these cases show a U-shaped; footprint due to the generation of field-aligned current on the; Jupiter-facing and Jupiter-opposed sides of Io, which may be related to; the structure in the auroral footprint seen in the infrared by Juno. A; model for the development of parallel electric fields is introduced,; indicating that the main auroral footprints of Io can generate parallel; potentials of up to 100 kV.

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