PDS_VERSION_ID = PDS3 RECORD_TYPE = STREAM LABEL_REVISION_NOTE = "CREATED: 2001-06-06, J. MAFI" OBJECT = TARGET TARGET_NAME = "IO PLASMA TORUS" OBJECT = TARGET_INFORMATION TARGET_TYPE = "PLASMA CLOUD" PRIMARY_BODY_NAME = "JUPITER" ORBIT_DIRECTION = "N/A" ROTATION_DIRECTION = "PROGRADE" TARGET_DESC = " Target Overview =============== The Io Plasma Torus (IPT) is a cloud of charged particles in orbit around Jupiter and centered on the centrifugal equator. It extends from inside Io's orbit (about 5 Rj) out to around Europa's orbit, though exact estimates of the outer boundary vary. The IPT consists primarily of ionized sulfur and oxygen, and electrons. The main source of these particles is Io, though Europa may also contribute. The particles orbit Jupiter at a velocity which lags slightly behind the corrotation velocity. Target Parameters ================= The parameters relevant to the torus are difficult to quantify as they vary with radial distance, Jovian latitude, Jovian longitude, and even with time. The following description (adapted from [BAGENAL1994]) describes the characteristics of five radially defined regions: The inner torus 5-5.4 Rj. The plasma is cold (~1 eV) with few suprathermal ions or electrons. The composition is dominated by S+ (45-75% of charge fraction) and O+ (20-45% charge fraction) with small, quantities of O++ and SO2+. The precipice region 5.4-5.6 Rj. There are sharp changes in the slope of the number of ions per shell of magnetic flux (NL^2) and in the composition. The supra thermal ions comprise >10% of the density. The ribbon region 5.6-6 Rj. Here are the highest densities (>3000 cm^-3). The temperature and composition (for >5.75 Rj ~40% O+, ~17% S++, ~10% S+ of charge fraction) are similar to the rest of the warm torus (>5.7 Rj). The ledge region 6-7.5 Rj. This is the uniform region of the warm torus, where there are gradual changes in density, composition, and temperature. The ramp region > 7.5 Rj. There is a drop in NL^2, perhaps due to impoundment of the torus material by the middle magnetospheric ring current. The current sheet begins to affect the magnetic field. The ions change in composition towards higher ionization state and higher oxygen fraction. Suprathermal ions are diffusing inwards. Europa is a possible source of plasma in this region. Target References ================= Results from Voyager 1 investigations of the IPT include [BRIDGEETAL1979A] (PLS), [BROADFOOTETAL1979] (UVS), and [WARWICKETAL1979A] and [BIRMINGHAMETAL1981] (PRA electron studies). [BROWNETAL1983] gives a post Pioneer and Voyager description of the IPT's characteristics. [BAGENAL1994] models the plasma conditions between 5 and 10 Rj using updated analyses of Voyager 1 observations. [SCHNEIDER&TRAUGE1995] discuss IPT asymmetries. Periodicities in the brightness of the torus are discussed in [DESSLER&SANDEL1992], and [BROWN1995]." END_OBJECT = TARGET_INFORMATION OBJECT = TARGET_REFERENCE_INFORMATION REFERENCE_KEY_ID = "BAGENAL1994" END_OBJECT = TARGET_REFERENCE_INFORMATION OBJECT = TARGET_REFERENCE_INFORMATION REFERENCE_KEY_ID = "BIRMINGHAMETAL1981" END_OBJECT = TARGET_REFERENCE_INFORMATION OBJECT = TARGET_REFERENCE_INFORMATION REFERENCE_KEY_ID = "BRIDGEETAL1979A" END_OBJECT = TARGET_REFERENCE_INFORMATION OBJECT = TARGET_REFERENCE_INFORMATION REFERENCE_KEY_ID = "BROADFOOTETAL1979" END_OBJECT = TARGET_REFERENCE_INFORMATION OBJECT = TARGET_REFERENCE_INFORMATION REFERENCE_KEY_ID = "BROWN1995" END_OBJECT = TARGET_REFERENCE_INFORMATION OBJECT = TARGET_REFERENCE_INFORMATION REFERENCE_KEY_ID = "BROWNETAL1983" END_OBJECT = TARGET_REFERENCE_INFORMATION OBJECT = TARGET_REFERENCE_INFORMATION REFERENCE_KEY_ID = "DESSLER&SANDEL1992" END_OBJECT = TARGET_REFERENCE_INFORMATION OBJECT = TARGET_REFERENCE_INFORMATION REFERENCE_KEY_ID = "SCHNEIDER&TRAUGE1995" END_OBJECT = TARGET_REFERENCE_INFORMATION OBJECT = TARGET_REFERENCE_INFORMATION REFERENCE_KEY_ID = "WARWICKETAL1979A" END_OBJECT = TARGET_REFERENCE_INFORMATION END_OBJECT = TARGET END