Jupiter's Magnetosphere & Io Plasma Torus

Io's Volcanic Activity:

Io, Jupiter's innermost Galilean moon, is the most volcanically active body in the solar system. Its volcanoes eject sulfur dioxide and other materials into space (shown as red particles).

Plasma Formation:

The ejected material becomes ionized by solar radiation and electron collisions, transforming into a plasma (shown by particles turning blue). This plasma gets trapped by Jupiter's powerful magnetic field.

Magnetic Field Interaction:

Jupiter's magnetic field (blue lines) is tilted by ~10° from its rotation axis (green line). The field captures the plasma and forces it to corotate with Jupiter, forming a torus-shaped ring of charged particles around Jupiter's equator.

Scientific References:

  • Structure and Properties of the Io Plasma Torus - Thomas, N., et al. (2004) Jupiter: The Planet, Satellites and Magnetosphere, 561-591
  • Plasma Transport in the Io Plasma Torus - Delamere, P. A., & Bagenal, F. (2003) Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 108(A7)
  • Chemistry of the Io Plasma Torus - Bagenal, F., et al. (2017) Astrophysical Journal, 837(1)
  • Io's Plasma Environment During the Galileo Mission - Frank, L. A., & Paterson, W. R. (2000) Journal of Geophysical Research, 105(A7)

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