Magnetospheric Studies: A Requirement for Addressing Interdisciplinary Mysteries in the Ice Giant Systems

Kollmann, P.; Cohen, I. J.; Allen, R. C.; Clark, G.; Roussos, E.; Vines, S. K.; Dietrich, W.; Pater, Imke de; Runyon, K. D.; Cartwright, Richard; Masters, A.; Brain, David; Hibbits, K.; Mauk, B. H.; Gkioulidou, M.; Rymer, A. M.; McNutt, R. L.; Hue, V.; Stanley, S.; Brandt, P. C.

doi:10.1007/s11214-020-00696-5

Cited by 23 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 158 publications

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“…The magnetospheric environment is host to and influences a range of planetary phenomena from the space weathering of satellites and the evolution of ocean worlds, to ring-magnetosphereatmosphere interactions and dust transport, to the dynamics of planetary dynamos which indicate the structure of ice giant interiors, to the role magnetic fields and charged particle precipitation might play in atmospheric heating. This broad discussion is well captured in Kollmann et al [108]. As a review of ice giant magnetospheres, we present a restricted list of key questions raised by these outer Solar System denizens.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…This broad discussion is well captured in Kollmann et al . [108]. As a review of ice giant magnetospheres, we present a restricted list of key questions raised by these outer Solar System denizens.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ion composition of the ice giant radiation belts remains largely unknown after Voyager 2 and any further assessment on the origin of the ice giant satellite surface composition will await future orbital missions. See Kollmann et al [108] and included references for additional discussion on this topic.…”

Section: Radiation Beltsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ice giant magnetospheres

Paty

Arridge

Cohen

et al. 2020

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

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The ice giant planets provide some of the most interesting natural laboratories for studying the influence of large obliquities, rapid rotation, highly asymmetric magnetic fields and wide-ranging Alfvénic and sonic Mach numbers on magnetospheric processes. The geometries of the solar wind–magnetosphere interaction at the ice giants vary dramatically on diurnal timescales due to the large tilt of the magnetic axis relative to each planet's rotational axis and the apparent off-centred nature of the magnetic field. There is also a seasonal effect on this interaction geometry due to the large obliquity of each planet (especially Uranus). With in situ observations at Uranus and Neptune limited to a single encounter by the Voyager 2 spacecraft, a growing number of analytical and numerical models have been put forward to characterize these unique magnetospheres and test hypotheses related to the magnetic structures and the distribution of plasma observed. Yet many questions regarding magnetospheric structure and dynamics, magnetospheric coupling to the ionosphere and atmosphere, and potential interactions with orbiting satellites remain unanswered. Continuing to study and explore ice giant magnetospheres is important for comparative planetology as they represent critical benchmarks on a broad spectrum of planetary magnetospheric interactions, and provide insight beyond the scope of our own Solar System with implications for exoplanet magnetospheres and magnetic reversals. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Future exploration of ice giant systems'.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ice giant magnetospheres

Paty

Arridge

Cohen

et al. 2020

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

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“…In that respect, measurements in the radiation belts of Uranus and Neptune, sampled only once by the Voyager 2 spacecraft, should definitely be part of any future attempt to explore the two planets [52,74]. Saturn's radiation belts were surveyed in depth thanks to the 13-year Cassini mission at the Kronian system [139].…”

Section: Why Explore Planetary Radiation Belts?mentioning

confidence: 99%

The in-situ exploration of Jupiter’s radiation belts

et al. 2021

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Jupiter has the most complex and energetic radiation belts in our Solar System and one of the most challenging space environments to measure and characterize in-depth. Their hazardous environment is also a reason why so many spacecraft avoid flying directly through their most intense regions, thus explaining how Jupiter’s radiation belts have kept many of their secrets so well hidden, despite having been studied for decades. In this paper we argue why these secrets are worth unveiling. Jupiter’s radiation belts and the vast magnetosphere that encloses them constitute an unprecedented physical laboratory, suitable for interdisciplinary and novel scientific investigations: from studying fundamental high energy plasma physics processes which operate throughout the Universe, such as adiabatic charged particle acceleration and nonlinear wave-particle interactions, to exploiting the astrobiological consequences of energetic particle radiation. The in-situ exploration of the uninviting environment of Jupiter’s radiation belts presents us with many challenges in mission design, science planning, instrumentation, and technology. We address these challenges by reviewing the different options that exist for direct and indirect observations of this unique system. We stress the need for new instruments, the value of synergistic Earth and Jupiter-based remote sensing and in-situ investigations, and the vital importance of multi-spacecraft in-situ measurements. While simultaneous, multi-point in-situ observations have long become the standard for exploring electromagnetic interactions in the inner Solar System, they have never taken place at Jupiter or any strongly magnetized planet besides Earth. We conclude that a dedicated multi-spacecraft mission to Jupiter is an essential and obvious way forward for exploring the planet’s radiation belts. Besides guaranteeing numerous discoveries and huge leaps in our understanding of radiation belt systems, such a mission would also enable us to view Jupiter, its extended magnetosphere, moons, and rings under new light, with great benefits for space, planetary, and astrophysical sciences. For all these reasons, in-situ investigations of Jupiter’s radiation belts deserve to be given a high priority in the future exploration of our Solar System. This article is based on a White Paper submitted in response to the European Space Agency’s call for science themes for its Voyage 2050 programme.

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“…Is there an energetic particle field to influence darkening or surface weathering of the surface? (see Kollmann et al 2020) -What can the geology and chemistry tell us about the internal structure?…”

Section: Physicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geologic Science Research Priorities for the Moons of Uranus

Ahrens

2021

Bulletin of the AAS

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Magnetospheric Studies: A Requirement for Addressing Interdisciplinary Mysteries in the Ice Giant Systems

Cited by 23 publications

References 158 publications

Ice giant magnetospheres

Ice giant magnetospheres

The in-situ exploration of Jupiter’s radiation belts

Geologic Science Research Priorities for the Moons of Uranus

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