Jovian plasma torus interaction with Europa: 3D hybrid kinetic simulation. First results

Abstract

The hybrid kinetic model supports comprehensive simulation of the interaction between different spatial and energetic elements of the Europa moon-magnetosphere system with respect to variable upstream magnetic field and flux or density distributions of plasma and energetic ions, electrons, and neutral atoms. This capability is critical for improving the interpretation of the existing Europa flyby measurements from the Galileo orbiter mission, and for planning flyby and orbital measurements (including the surface and atmospheric compositions) for future missions. The simulations are based on recent models of the atmosphere of Europa (Cassidy et al., 2007, Shematovich et al., 2005). In contrast to previous approaches with MHD simulations, the hybrid model allows us to fully take into account the finite gyroradius effect and electron pressure, and to correctly estimate the ion velocity distribution and the fluxes along the magnetic field (assuming an initial Maxwellian velocity distribution for upstream background ions). Non-thermal distributions of upstream plasma will be addressed in future work. Photoionization, electron-impact ionization, charge exchange and collisions between the ions and neutrals are also included in our model. We consider two models for background plasma: (a) with O⁺⁺ ions; (b) with O⁺⁺ and S⁺⁺ ions. The majority of O₂ atmosphere is thermal with an extended cold population (Cassidy et al., 2007). A few first simulations already include an induced magnetic dipole; however, several important effects of induced magnetic fields arising from oceanic shell conductivity will be addressed in later work.