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Excitation of the Ganymede Ultraviolet Aurora

Authors :
Eviatar, Aharon
Strobel, Darrell F.
Wolven, Brian C.
Feldman, Paul D.
McGrath, Melissa A.
Williams, Donald J.
Source :
The Astrophysical Journal; July 2001, Vol. 555 Issue: 2 p1013-1019, 7p
Publication Year :
2001

Abstract

We analyze the ultraviolet aurorae observed on Ganymede by means of the Hubble Space Telescope and compare them to similar phenomena on Earth. We find that the tenuous nature of Ganymede's atmosphere precludes excitation of the aurora by high-energy electrons and requires a local acceleration mechanism. We propose the following as plausible mechanisms for generating both the continuous background emission and the intense auroral bright spots:

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0004637X and 15384357
Volume :
555
Issue :
2
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
The Astrophysical Journal
Publication Type :
Periodical
Accession number :
ejs18553294