Jovian Magnetospheric Modelling using JERICHO : a Kinetic-Ion, Fluid-Electron Hybrid Plasma Model

Wiggs, Josh and Arridge, Chris (2021) Jovian Magnetospheric Modelling using JERICHO : a Kinetic-Ion, Fluid-Electron Hybrid Plasma Model. In: Magnetospheres of the Outer Planets 2021, 2021-07-12 - 2021-07-16.

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Abstract

Plasma in the Jovian magnetosphere is removed from Io's torus mainly via ejection as energetic neutrals and by bulk transport into sink regions in the outer magnetosphere. The physical process generally considered to be responsible for bulk transport is the centrifugal-interchange instability, analogous to the Rayleigh-Taylor instability, but with centrifugal force replacing gravity. This mechanism allows magnetic flux tubes containing hot, tenuous plasma to exchange places with tubes containing cool, dense plasma, moving material from the inner to outer magnetosphere whilst returning magnetic flux to the planet. In order to examine the transport we have developed a full hybrid kinetic-ion, fluid-electron plasma model in 2.5-dimensions, JERICHO. The technique of hybrid modelling allows for probing of plasma motions down to the ion-inertial length scale, considering constituent ion species kinetically as charged particles and forming the electrons into a single magnetised fluid continuum, allowing for insights into particle motions on spatial scales below the size of the magnetic flux tubes. Additionally, JERICHO provides a computational framework capable of capturing a wide range of flow dynamics, up to spatial scales on the order of planetary radii. Results from this model will allow for the examination of bulk transport on spatial scales not currently accessible with state-of-the-art models, improving understanding of mechanisms responsible for moving particles between flux tubes and from the inner to the outer magnetosphere. In this presentation we will examine the latest simulation results from JERICHO, initialised with Jovian parameters.