LASP Magnetosphere Seminars

Abstract

The Jovian magnetosphere is characterized by mass loading from the volcanic moon Io, centrifugal force driven dynamics, and strong magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling. Since its arrival at Jupiter in 2016, the Juno mission has conducted a global survey of the magnetosphere with high-resolution thermal plasma data, providing an excellent opportunity for investigation. Based on multi-year Juno data, we first perform a survey of the global properties of the equatorial plasma disk between 10 and 50 Jupiter radii (RJ), which is strongly controlled by centrifugal instabilities. The dynamical behaviors are investigated through special events, e.g., flux tube interchange driven magnetic reconnection. We then study the spatial distribution of the Io plasma torus between 6 and 10 RJ, which shows a well-organized structure with M-shells. Finally, we find intermittent H3+ outflows observed high above the polar ionosphere (up to 3 RJ) with upward electric currents, which reveal a new pathway for mass and energy transfer between the ionosphere and magnetosphere.