When these charged particles hit the atmosphere, they release electromagnetic radiation.
Since their discovery 40 years ago, the processes that produce Jupiters x-ray flares have remained unknown.
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For four decades, the cause of Jovian auroral lights remained a mystery.
These vibrations were found to drive waves within plasma (ionized gas) surrounding Jupiter.
During this study, regular flashes were appearing with astounding regularity, every 27 minutes.
We have seen Jupiter producing X-ray aurora for four decades, but we didnt know how this happened.
William Dunnof the Mullard Space Science Laboratory at University College London.
Charged ions in this process are supplied by Jupiters highly-volcanic innermost large moon,Io.
Stripped of their electrons, this forms a ring of plasma around the massive planet.
Jupiter is home to a massive magnetic field roughly 20,000 times greater than that in our home world.
The cause of the magnetic field waves examined in this study remains uncertain.
However, these oscillations may be driven by the solar wind, or from plasma flows around Jupiter.
It is also possible that this process, seen onJupiter, also takes place throughout the Cosmos.
Similar effects might be seen on Uranus, Neptune, or at worlds around alien stars, researchers suggest.
This article was originally published onThe Cosmic Companionby James Maynard, the founder and publisher of The Cosmic Companion.
you’re free to read the original articlehere.
