Io plasma torus electrons - Voyager 1

Abstract

A thermal Maxwellian component of the electron distribution function, together with a suprathermal, non-Maxwellian one, are featured in the present analysis of in situ plasma electron observations made by the Voyager 1 plasma science experiment in the Io plasma torus. A large difference in the hot electron pressure P(H) is noted between the inbound and the outbound data; this is interpreted as a latitudinal gradient, with P(H) being maximum at the magnetic equator. The presence of a neutral corona around Io is inferred from the observed decrease and symmetry with respect to Io of the cold electron temperature.