Auroral signature of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 in the jovian magnetosphere

Science. 1995 Mar 3;267(5202):1317-20. doi: 10.1126/science.7871430.

Abstract

The electrodynamic interaction of the dust and gas comae of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with the jovian magnetosphere was unique and different from the atmospheric effects. Early theoretical predictions of auroral-type processes on the comet magnetic field line and advanced modeling of the time-varying morphology of these lines allowed dedicated observations with the Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 and resulted in the detection of a bright auroral spot. In that respect, this observation of the surface signature of an externally triggered auroral process can be considered as a "magnetospheric active experiment" on Jupiter.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Extraterrestrial Environment*
  • Jupiter*
  • Magnetics
  • Solar System*