Revealing the Local Time Structure of the Alfvén Radius and Travel Times in Jupiter's Magnetosphere

• Published in: Journal of geophysical research. Planets 2024-10, Vol.129 (10), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Jenkins, A., Ray, L. C., Fell, T., Badman, S. V., Lorch, C. T. S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alfven waves; Angular momentum; Angular velocity; Atmosphere; aurora; Auroral emissions; Auroral observations; Auroras; Coupling; Diffuse aurora; Emissions; In situ measurement; Ionosphere; Jupiter; Jupiter atmosphere; Magnetic fields; Magnetohydrodynamic waves; magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling; magnetospheric dynamics; Magnetospheric plasma; Mathematical models; Numerical models; Planetary atmospheres; Planetary magnetic fields; Planetary magnetospheres; Planets; Plasma; Radial velocity; Time dependence; Travel time
• ISSN: 2169-9097; 2169-9100
• DOI: 10.1029/2024JE008414

Jovian magnetospheric plasma is coupled to the ionosphere through Alfvén waves. Alfvén waves enable the transport of angular momentum and energy between the planet and magnetospheric plasma, a process that ultimately generates Jupiter's bright auroral emissions. However, past the Alfvén radius, the location where the radial velocity is greater than the Alfvén velocity, magnetospheric plasma is decoupled from the planet. Alfvén waves launched by magnetospheric plasma do not reach the ionosphere, angular momentum cannot be transported from the planet, and auroral emissions should diminish. Knowledge of Jupiter's Alfvén radius location is critical for interpreting drivers of auroral emissions, in situ data, and applications of numerical models. Previous studies that determined the location of the Alfvén radius assumed an azimuthally symmetric magnetosphere and local‐time independent magnetic field. Here, we employ a statistical description of the magnetic field that includes local time effects. We find a minimum Alfvén radius of 30 RJ ${\mathrm{R}}_{J}$ (Jupiter radii) at 6 LT, with plasma decoupled from the planet in the post‐dusk through dawn sector. Furthermore, no Alfvén radius exists within 60 RJ ${\mathrm{R}}_{J}$ between 8 and 20 LT. At distances greater than 50 RJ ${\mathrm{R}}_{J}$, the Alfvén travel time is such that magnetospheric plasma moves substantially in the magnetosphere before angular momentum can be efficiently transferred from the atmosphere. Therefore, the angular momentum supplied may no longer be sufficient for the local conditions. Our results highlight the importance of local time considerations and offer new interpretations for local time dependent auroral features, such as the polar collar. Plain Language Summary Jupiter's aurora is the visible signature of the coupling between the planetary atmosphere and the surrounding plasma environment. However, a planet's atmosphere is not always coupled to the surrounding plasma environment. As plasma moves through a magnetosphere, there are locations where Alfvén waves, which are launched along the planetary magnetic field and convey information between the plasma and planet, cannot travel as quickly as the plasma moves outwards. At these locations, the plasma can be considered decoupled from the planet and its behavior will be independent of any atmospheric influence. We identify the statistical location of this Alfvén radius within Jupiter's magnetosphere. We find that on the nightside of