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Ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling studies with Juno and Cassini proximal orbits

Auteur

Blanc Michel

Institution

IRAP

Thème

Theme3
Auteur(s) supplémentaire(s)N. André, P.-L. Blelly, V. Génot, P. Louarn, A. Marchaudon, C. Peymirat (1), C. Tao (1,5), B. Cecconi, L. Lamy, C. Louis, Ph. Zarka (2), S. Hess, A.
Institution(s) supplémentaire(s)(1) IRAP, Toulouse, (2) LESIA, Meudon, (3) ONERA/DESP, Toulouse, (4) LUTH, Meudon, (5) NICT, Japon

Abstract

The magnetodisk of Jupiter is dragged into partial cororation with the planet by an electric current loop that connects the disk to the jovian upper atmosphere via intense field-aligned currents driving the main auroral emissions. Thanks to its unique orbital geometry, Juno will allow for the first time a quantitative study of the characteristics of the three key segments of this circuit and of their connection: the magnetodisk/plasmasheet, where currents transverse to the magnetic field maintain the disk into partial corotation; auroral field lines, which connect the magnetodisk to the auroral circuit proper and along which current is carried in part by accelerated particles; and the ionospheric closure of the circuit, where Ohmic currents extract momentum from the upper atmosphere and produce Joule heating. To a large extent, the Cassini proximal orbits will provide a similar opportunity at Saturn. 
We describe our detailed plans for a physical study of these three segments and their interconnections, and of the key processes that are at work in the enforcement of magnetospheric corotation and sub-corotation at Jupiter and Saturn, based on the outcome of a first workshop on “Magnetosphere-Ionosphere-Thermosphere coupling at Jupiter” organized in Toulouse by IRAP and LESIA on oct. 13 and 14, 2015. All contributions to this workshop can be found on line at:
http://cdpp.eu/workshops/Jupiter_MIT_coupling/
Extension of this work to a broader circle of the PNST community, in view of its consolidation and deepening in support to the on-going Juno and Cassini missions and in preparation for the upcoming missions to the Jupiter system, JUICE and Europa, is very welcome! Collaborative, multi-laboratory proposals in the ANR and ERC frameworks to develop this work line are anticipated.


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