Solar wind flow about the outer planets: Gas dynamic modeling of the Jupiter and Saturn bow shocks

Abstract

Pioneer 10 and 11 and Voyager 1 and 2 observations are used to study global aspects of the solar wind interaction with Jupiter and Saturn. Solar wind measurements before and after the encounters are used to determine average upstream flow parameters at 5 and 9 AU. Bow shock and magnetopause position are found to vary as the fourth root of dynamic pressure at Jupiter and the sixth root at Saturn. The average distances to the nose of the magnetopause based upon the Pioneer and Voyager boundary crossings for Jupiter and Saturn are 68 RJ and 19 RS, respectively, after correction for varying solar wind pressure. In shape, the Jovian bow shock and magnetopause surfaces are similar to their terrestrial counterparts, but the width of the magnetosheath is 45% less than predicted by axisymmetric gas dynamic theory. This result is interpreted as evidence for strong polar flattening of the Jovian magnetosphere. The Saturnian magnetopause and bow shock boundaries are significantly more flared than at the earth with a subsolar magnetosheath that is 20% thinner than predicted by gas dynamic theory. On the basis of these results it is suggested that Saturn is intermediate between the earth and Jupiter in terms of polar flattening, with the unusual flaring of the Saturn magnetopause being due to the low ratio of static to dynamic pressure in the distant heliosphere.