Jupiter's magnetosphere

Jupiter's magnetosphere is the region where its magnetic field controls charged-particle motion and interacts with the solar wind. It is the Solar System's largest planetary magnetosphere, shaped by Jupiter's rapid rotation and volcanic material from Io.

Jovian magnetic field: The magnetic field generated by currents inside Jupiter, extending far into space. Its strength and tilted, rotating geometry organize the magnetosphere.
Magnetosphere: A region around an astronomical body where its magnetic field governs charged-particle motion. Jupiter's system is an unusually large and rotation-dominated example.
Io: Jupiter's innermost large moon, distinguished by intense volcanic activity. Its volcanoes continuously inject sulfur and oxygen compounds into the surrounding space.
Pioneer 10: A NASA spacecraft that made the first close flyby of Jupiter in 1973. Its measurements provided the first close-up observations of Jupiter's radiation environment.
Jupiter's radiation belts: Regions around Jupiter where energetic charged particles are trapped by its magnetic field. The belts create a severe radiation hazard for spacecraft and nearby moons.
Magnetodisc: A flattened, rotating region of plasma and magnetic field extending outward from Jupiter's equatorial plane. Centrifugal forces stretch the plasma-filled field into this distinctive structure.
Plasma: An electrically conductive state of matter containing free ions and electrons. Plasma carries currents that couple charged particles to magnetic fields.
Jupiter: The largest planet in the Solar System, a gas giant with a powerful magnetic field. The planet's interior field and rapid spin supply the system's central magnetic engine.
Voyager 1: A NASA spacecraft that flew past Jupiter in 1979 while surveying the outer Solar System. Its encounter mapped magnetospheric structure and detected Io's plasma torus.
Jupiter's aurora: Bright emissions near Jupiter's poles produced when energetic particles excite its upper atmosphere. Auroral patterns show the magnetic system's coupling to the atmosphere and moons.

Linked from 7 pages