Kinetic models for the exospheres of Jupiter and Saturn
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Authors
Pierrard, V.
Discipline
Physical sciences
Subject
Exosphere
Giant planets
Inner magnetosphere
Jupiter
Jupiters
Kappa distribution
Kinetic model
Kinetic models
Number density
Planetary ionospheres
Polar wind
Saturn
Space environment
Space plasmas
Suprathermal electrons
Suprathermal particles
Temperature profiles
Two-dimensional map
Typical values
Interplanetary flight
Ionosphere
Kinetic theory
Magnetosphere
Planets
Plasmas
Velocity control
Distribution functions
Audience
Scientific
Date
2009Metadata
Show full item recordDescription
The exospheric theory based on the Kappa velocity distribution function (VDF) is used to model the exosphere of the giant planets Jupiter and Saturn. Such Kappa velocity distribution functions with an enhanced population of suprathermal particles are indeed often observed in space plasmas and in the space environment of the planets. The suprathermal particles have significant effects on the escape flux, density and temperature profiles of the particles in the exosphere of the giant planets. The polar wind flux becomes several orders larger when suprathermal electrons are considered, so that the planetary ionosphere becomes then a significant source for their inner magnetosphere. Moreover, the number density of the particles decreases slower as a function of the altitude when a Kappa distribution is considered instead of a Maxwellian one. Two-dimensional maps of density are calculated for typical values of the temperatures. The exospheric formalism is also applied to study the escape flux from the exospheres of Io and Titan, respectively, moons of Jupiter and Saturn. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Citation
Pierrard, V. (2009). Kinetic models for the exospheres of Jupiter and Saturn. , Planetary and Space Science, Vol. 57, Issue 11, 1260-1267, DOI: 10.1016/j.pss.2009.04.011.Identifiers
scopus: 2-s2.0-68949154616
Type
Article
Peer-Review
Yes
Language
eng