Examining the interaction of Europa with the Jovian magnetosphere using eruptive and multifluid plasma dynamic simulations

Abstract:

Jupiter’s icy moon Europa provides a unique laboratory for understanding the physics of moon-magnetosphere interactions. Europa possesses a conductive subsurface ocean, the interaction of which with the locally varying Jovian magnetic field is expressed by the observed inductive response. This icy moon also boasts a dynamic exosphere as well as eruptive plumes, which interact with the Jovian plasma as expressed via ultraviolet aurora. We investigate a broad range of parameter space related to the interaction of this icy moon with the rapidly rotating magnetosphere of Jupiter, systematically working through and quantifying various physical effects using a multifluid plasma dynamic modeling framework. Aside from induction and interactions with the exosphere, we will also present preliminary result from incorporating a neutral plume generated by an eruptive simulation. We run conduit simulations to get at neutral gas and particle injection velocities, which are in turn used as a source for the plasma dynamic simulations. We then investigate the distribution of neutrals, ions, and charged grains as a function of altitude.