Accession Number:

ADA167923

Title:

Periodic Amplitude Variations in Jovian Continuum Radiation.

Descriptive Note:

Progress rept. for period ending Feb 86,

Corporate Author:

IOWA UNIV IOWA CITY DEPT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

Personal Author(s):

• Kurth,W. S.
• Gurnett,D. A.
• Scarf,F. L.

Report Date:

1986-04-02

Pagination or Media Count:

31.0

Abstract:

An analysis of periodic variations in the amplitude of continuum raidation trapped in the Jovian magnetosphere shows structure with periods near both five and ten hours. Contrary to a plausible initial idea, the continuum amplitudes are not organized by position of the observer relative to the dense plasma sheet. Instead, there seem to be preferred orientations of system III longitude with respect to the direction to the sun which account for the peaks. This implies a clock-like modulation of the continuum radiation intensity as opposed to a searchlight effect. The importance of the dipole longitude-solar wind alignment to the amplitude of the continuum radiation implies the source region of the radiation is near the magnetopause and may tie the generation of the radio waves to the clock like modulation of energetic electron fluxes from Jupiter.

Descriptors:

• *PLASMAS(PHYSICS)
• *CONTINUUM MECHANICS
• *ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
• *RADIO WAVES
• *MAGNETOSPHERE
• *SUN
• *JUPITER(PLANET)
• OBSERVERS
• POSITION(LOCATION)
• INTENSITY
• VARIATIONS
• SHEETS
• MODULATION
• AMPLITUDE
• ENERGETIC PROPERTIES
• ELECTRON FLUX
• PERIODIC VARIATIONS
• DENSE GASES
• SEARCHLIGHTS

Subject Categories:

• Astronomy
• Astrophysics
• Plasma Physics and Magnetohydrodynamics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE