This image shows a radio map of Jupiter taken in the inner regions of the plasmasphere.
Click on image for full size
JPL

Jupiter's Plasmasphere

Jupiter's magnetosphere is practically all plasmasphere. Jupiter's magnetosphere is filled with plasma. Most of the plasma comes from the donut-shaped cloud (torus) of material from Io.

Besides ions and electrons, the plasmasphere also contains very energetic particles, which contribute to the radiation found in this environment.

Particles enter the plasmasphere from the atmosphere as well as the magnetotail. Particles leave the plasmasphere when they drop too far along the magnetic field lines at the north and south poles. When these particles collide with the atmosphere, they create the aurora.

Jupiter's plasmasphere is a powerful radio source. Radio emissions and other waves which come from the plasmasphere include whistler waves, chorus and hiss.


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