Energetic neutral atoms from a trans-Europa gas torus at Jupiter

B. H. Mauk (), D. G. Mitchell, S. M. Krimigis, E. C. Roelof and C. P. Paranicas
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B. H. Mauk: The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
D. G. Mitchell: The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
S. M. Krimigis: The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
E. C. Roelof: The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
C. P. Paranicas: The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Nature, 2003, vol. 421, issue 6926, 920-922

Abstract: Abstract The space environments—or magnetospheres—of magnetized planets emit copious quantities of energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) at energies between tens of electron volts to hundreds of kiloelectron volts (keV)1,2. These energetic atoms result from charge exchange between magnetically trapped energetic ions and cold neutral atoms, and they carry significant amounts of energy and mass from the magnetospheres. Imaging their distribution allows us to investigate the structure of planetary magnetospheres1,3,4,5,6. Here we report the analysis of 50–80 keV ENA images of Jupiter's magnetosphere7, where two distinct emission regions dominate: the upper atmosphere of Jupiter itself, and a torus of emission residing just outside the orbit of Jupiter's satellite Europa. The trans-Europa component shows that, unexpectedly, Europa generates a gas cloud comparable in gas content to that associated with the volcanic moon Io. The quantity of gas found indicates that Europa has a much greater impact than hitherto believed on the structure of, and the energy flow within, Jupiter's magnetosphere.

Date: 2003
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DOI: 10.1038/nature01431

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