Two‐species, 3D, MHD simulation of Europa's interaction with Jupiter's magnetosphere

Abstract

The interaction of Europa with the Jovian magnetosphere has been studied by using a two species ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) numerical model. This model considers the upstream plasma in the Jovian magnetosphere and the molecular oxygen ions in the ionosphere of Europa, separately. We present results from simulation studies, which take into account impact ionization, recombination, and the effect of a possible induced dipole magnetic field of Europa. The total mass loading of the magnetospheric flow and the ionization frequency used in the model are consistent with the estimates of Europa's ionosphere and atmosphere. The multi‐species MHD equations are solved by using a finite volume, high‐order, Godunov‐type method on an adaptively refined unstructured grid, which allows detailed modeling of the region near Europa's surface, while still resolving both the upstream region and the satellite's wake. We have paid special attention to the wake of Europa, in order to be able to make comparisons with the Galileo's E4 flyby observations, as well as other model calculations. The calculated escape flux of O2+ down the tail was found to be about 5.6 × 1025 s−1.