Access
To read this story in full you will need to login or make a payment (see right).
Article
Nature 315, 373-378 (30 May 1985) | doi:10.1038/315373a0; Accepted 11 March 1985
Explanation of the inward displacement of Io's hot plasma torus and consequences for sputtering sources
J. A. Linker*, M. G. Kivelson*, M. A. Moreno* & R. J. Walker
- Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics and *Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024, USA
Abstract
Radial profiles of the ion density and flux-tube content in the lo torus have peak values inside Io's orbit, even though Io is the effective source of these ions. Formation of an inward peak constrains either the velocity distributions or source regions of sputtered neutrals. A further constraint is that the ionization of neutrals on trapped trajectories that return to Io's surface must be limited. A dominant sulphur source is most easily reconciled with these constraints.
To read this story in full you will need to login or make a payment (see right).
