1-D Hybrid Kinetic/Fluid Modelling of the Jovian Magnetosphere

Constable, DA and Ray, Licia C and Badman, Sarah and Arridge, Chris and Lorch, Chris and Martin, Carley and Gunell, Herbert (2019) 1-D Hybrid Kinetic/Fluid Modelling of the Jovian Magnetosphere. In: National Astronomy Meeting 2019, 2019-06-30 - 2019-07-04, Lancaster University.

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Abstract

Based on early measurements from the Juno spacecraft, magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere (MIT) coupling studies of the Jovian system are thought to have under-estimated the densities of plasma species in the high-latitude regions of the magnetosphere. As the main auroral oval of Jupiter is driven by particles precipitating into the planetary atmosphere in these regions, characterising the density and potential structure along high-latitude magnetic field lines is of particular interest. To that end, a 1-D spatial, 2-D velocity hybrid kinetic/fluid model is under development. This model will allow the middle magnetosphere regions (~20-50 RJ) responsible for the main oval to be investigated numerically. Previous 1-D kinetic models of the Jovian system have been constrained to the Io flux tube. Through the use of code parallelisation, non-uniform spatial mesh and fluid treatment of species, the computational challenge of modelling of the Jovian middle magnetosphere can be reduced. The model allows density profiles, potential structures, current flow and precipitating particle fluxes to be found. Comparison of these outputs to data from Juno will help to validate the model, along with providing refinements to MIT theory.