Induced Magnetic Fields in Solar System Bodies

Induced magnetic fields provide the unique possibility to sound the con- and conductive oceans produce measurable signal strengths at several frequencies for all satellites. The conductive cores cause signals which will be hardly detectable. Our results show that mutual induction occurs between the core and the ocean. We briefly address this effect and its implications for the analysis of induced field data. We further note that close polar orbits are preferable for future Jupiter system missions to investigate the satellites interiors.

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“…Low frequencies are of special interest here as they penetrate deeper into 47 conductive layers (Parkinson, 1983, Saur et al, 2010.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…At the Galilean moons the time-variable primary field is provided by the 49 Jovian magnetosphere (e.g., Neubauer, 1999, Saur et al, 2010. In the satel- essary to determine the contribution from this field (Schilling et al, 2007).…”

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confidence: 99%

Multi-frequency electromagnetic sounding of the Galilean moons

Seufert

Saur

Neubauer

2011

Icarus

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104

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“…The strongly inclined magnetic dipole moment of Uranus with respect to its spin axis generates time-variable fields near the moons at their synodic rotation periods. These fields will produce induction magnetic fields, which are diagnostic of the moons interior, in particularly with respect to the possible salty liquid sub-surface oceans in Titania and Oberon [46]. The tilt of the magnetic equatorial plane with respect to the ring plane also means that magnetospheric plasma and energetic particle irradiation of the moons varies strongly in time, peaking periodically as the moons cross the magnetic equator [57].…”

Section: Natural Satellitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Uranus Pathfinder: exploring the origins and evolution of Ice Giant planets

et al. 2011

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The "Ice Giants" Uranus and Neptune are a different class of planet compared to Jupiter and Saturn. Studying these objects is important for furthering our understanding of the formation and evolution of the planets, and unravelling the fundamental physical and chemical processes in the Solar System. The importance of filling these gaps in our knowledge of the Solar System is particularly acute when trying to apply our understanding to the numerous planetary systems that have been discovered around other stars. The Uranus Pathfinder (UP) mission thus represents the quintessential aspects of the objectives of the European planetary community as expressed in ESA's Cosmic Vision 2015-2025. UP was proposed to the European Space Agency's M3 call for medium-class missions in 2010 and proposed to be the first orbiter of an Ice Giant planet. As the most accessible Ice Giant within the M-class mission envelope Uranus was identified as the mission target. Although not selected for this call the UP mission concept provides a baseline framework for the exploration of Uranus with existing low-cost platforms and underlines

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“…The instantaneous induced field will have a phase lag from the driving signal and an amplitude that is a fraction of the maximum response for a perfect conductor (Lahiri and Price 1939;Rikitake 1966;. showing (a) magnetic field lines of the dipolar response (B ind (t)) of a spherical perfect conductor (in which induced eddy currents are flowing) to a uniform time-varying external field (B prim (t)), (b) magnetic field lines of the resulting total field (B prim (t) + B ind (t)), which are tangent to the surface of the sphere and do not penetrate into the conductor Detailed discussions of the induced magnetic fields associated with various objects in the solar system, including planetary satellites, are given by Saur et al (2009) in another chapter in this issue. In this section, we briefly review the magnetic field observations at the two Galilean satellites of Jupiter, Europa and Callisto, where strong evidence of induced magnetic fields have been found.…”

Section: Satellites With Internally Induced Magnetic Fields: Europa Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Magnetic Fields of the Satellites of Jupiter and Saturn

et al. 2009

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This paper reviews the present state of knowledge about the magnetic fields and the plasma interactions associated with the major satellites of Jupiter and Saturn. As revealed by the data from a number of spacecraft in the two planetary systems, the magnetic properties of the Jovian and Saturnian satellites are extremely diverse. As the only case of a strongly magnetized moon, Ganymede possesses an intrinsic magnetic field that forms a mini-magnetosphere surrounding the moon. Moons that contain interior regions of high electrical conductivity, such as Europa and Callisto, generate induced magnetic fields through electromagnetic induction in response to time-varying external fields. Moons that are non-magnetized also can generate magnetic field perturbations through plasma interactions if they possess substantial neutral sources. Unmagnetized moons that lack significant sources of neutrals act as absorbing obstacles to the ambient plasma flow and appear to generate field perturbations mainly in their wake regions. Because the magnetic field in the vicinity of the moons contains contributions from the inevitable electromagnetic interactions between these satellites and the ubiquitous plasma that flows onto them, our knowledge of the magnetic fields intrinsic to these satellites relies heavily on our understanding of the plasma interactions with them.

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Induced Magnetic Fields in Solar System Bodies

Cited by 66 publications

References 107 publications

Multi-frequency electromagnetic sounding of the Galilean moons

Multi-frequency electromagnetic sounding of the Galilean moons

Uranus Pathfinder: exploring the origins and evolution of Ice Giant planets

Magnetic Fields of the Satellites of Jupiter and Saturn

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