Energy Spectra Near Ganymede From Juno Data

Abstract

AbstractThe moon Ganymede has a strong internally generated magnetic field that separates the surface into two regions, with the polar surface magnetically connected to the Jovian environment. Consequently, the weathering of Ganymede's surface by plasma and energetic charged particles trapped in the Jovian magnetosphere is not uniform. At the same time, optical data suggest differences in the surface ice between the poles and the equator, with further refinements in the equatorial surface that have a longitudinal dependence. Here, we use Juno spacecraft data to characterize the charged particle environment along Ganymede's orbit (from about 50 eV to 1 MeV for electrons and 10 eV to 6 MeV for protons). These results put us into a better position to test the hypothesis that space weathering by electrons causes the brighter poles of Ganymede, given that electron fluxes are likely to be more clearly separated between the polar and equatorial regions.