The magnetosphere of Jupiter as observed with Pioneer 10: 2. Nonrigid rotation of the magnetodisc

Abstract

The maximum count rates of energetic particles are observed earlier on the inbound pass and later on the outbound pass than one would expect if the Jovian magnetodisk moved rigidly with the planet. This lead and lag cannot be explained by the observed azimuthal distortion of the Jovian magnetic field alone. A possible explanation is that the foot of a magnetic field line in the ionosphere slips with respect to Jupiter's surface. The rate of slippage and the electric field necessary for this is estimated. The electric field may be as large as 2 V/m in the Jovian polar ionosphere.