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Survival of bacterial isolates exposed to simulated Jovian trapped radiation belt electrons and solar wind protons

With missions to Jupiter, the spacecraft will be exposed for extended durations to solar wind radiation and the Jovian trapped radiation belt. This study is designed to determine the effect of these radiation environments on spacecraft bacterial isolates. The information can be used in the probability of contamination analysis for these missions. A bacterial subpopulation from Mariner Mars 1971 spacecraft (nine spore-forming and three non-spore-forming isolates) plus two comparative organisms, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 17917 and a strain of Bacillus subtilis var. niger, were exposed to 2, 12, and 25 MeV electrons at different doses with simultaneous exposure to a vacuum of 1.3 x 10(-4) N m-2 at 20 and -20 degrees C. The radioresistance of the subpopulation was dependent on the isolate, dose and energy of electrons. Temperature affected the radioresistance of only the spore-forming isolates. Survival data indicated that spores were reduced approximately 1 log/1500 J kg-1 (10 J kg-1=1 krad), while non-spore-forming isolates (micrococci) were reduced 1.5-2 logs/1500 J kg-1 with the exception of an apparent radioresistant isolate whose resistance approached that of the spores. The subpopulation was found to be less resistant to lower energy than to higher energy electrons. The bacterial isolates were exposed to 3 keV protons under the same conditions as the electrons with a total fluence of 1.5 x 10(13) p cm-2 and a dose rate of 8.6 x 10(9) p cm-2 s-1. The results showed that only 20% of S. epidermidis and 45% of B. subtilis populations survived exposure to the 3 keV protons, while the mean survival of the spacecraft subpopulation was 45% with a range from 31.8% (non-spore-former) to 64.8% (non-spore-former). No significant difference existed between spore-forming and non-spore-forming isolates.

Electrons↗

A theory of Jovian decameter radiation

A theory of the Jovian decameter radiation is presented based on the assumed existence of beams of energetic electrons in the inner Jovian magnetosphere. Beam-like electron distributions are shown to be unstable to the growth of both upper hybrid and lower hybrid electrostatic waves. The upconversion of these waves to fast extraordinary mode electromagnetic radiation is calculated by using a fluid model. Two possibilities are considered. First, a random phase approximation is made which leads to a very conservative estimate of intensity that can be expected in decameter radiation. The alternative possibility is also considered, viz, that the upconversion process is coherent. A comparison of both processes suggests that an incoherent interaction may be adequate to account for the observed intensity of decametric radiation, except perhaps near the peak of the spectrum (8 MHz). The coherent process is intrinsically more efficient and can easily produce the observed intensity near 8 MHz if only 0.01% of the energy in the beam is converted to electrostatic energy.

Goldstein, M. L.↗

Low frequency radio emissions from Jupiter - Jovian kilometric radiation

A new component of the Jovian radio spectrum has been observed by the plasma wave instruments on Voyager 1 and 2 at frequencies ranging from about 10 to 56 kHz or higher. This Jovian kilometric radiation is characterized by storms of emissions lasting typically 45 minutes at 56.2 kHz, however some events persist for as long as four hours. The storms usually exhibit impulsive bursts with time scales of a few seconds to several minutes, although some events show smoothly varying intensities as a function of time. High resolution frequency-time spectrograms reveal a continuum-like background with more intense, narrowband features superimposed. The narrowband, or discrete, features tend to decrease in frequency with increasing time, falling about 1 kHz in 5 to 60 seconds. The maximum power emitted assuming an isotropic radiator near Jupiter and a bandwidth for the most intense bursts of about 10 kHz is about 10 to the 19th watts. The Jovian kilometric radiation is most likely observed within + or - 45 deg of 200 deg System III longitude, lambda III, although there is a secondary maximum near lambda III = 25 deg.

Kurth, W. S.↗

Ray tracing of Jovian kilometric radiation

Results of computer ray tracing of Jovian kilometric radiation from 56.2 kHz to 1 MHz in a model Jovian magnetosphere with an Io torus are presented. Ray tracing calculations indicate that the Io torus presents a propagation barrier to the radiation and that the Jovian kilometric radiation must be generated in the L-O mode from a source near Jupiter on field lines passing through the Io torus. One effect of the Io torus is to refract the rays away from the magnetic equator forming a shadow zone at radial distances beyond the torus. In general, at radial distances greater than 10 Jovian radii, as the wave frequency increases (greater than 200 kHz) so does the magnetic latitude of the shadow zone. These and other features of the ray tracing calculations are in good qualitative agreement with the observations from the plasma wave receiver and planetary radio astronomy experiment on board both Voyagers 1 and 2.

Green, J. L.↗

A beaming model of the Io-independent Jovian decameter radiation based on multipole models of the Jovian magnetic field

A geometrical model is presented in which the apparent source locations of the Io-independent decameter radiation are computed. The calculations assume that the radiation is produced by stably trapped electrons radiating near the electron gyrofrequency and that the emission is then beamed onto a conical surface. The maximum occurrence probability of noise storms is associated with regions in the Jovian magnetosphere where the axis of the emission cone is most inclined toward the Jovian equatorial plane. The calculations utilize and compare two of the octupole spherical harmonic expansions of the Jovian magnetic field constructed from data accumulated by the fluxgate and vector helium magnetometers on board Pioneer 11.

Goldstein, M. L.↗

A beaming model of the Io-independent Jovian decameter radiation based on multipole models of the Jovian magnetic field

A geometrical model is presented in which the apparent source locations of the Io-independent decameter radiation are computed. The calculations assume that the radiation is produced by stably trapped electrons radiating near the local electron gyrofrequency and that the emission is then beamed onto a conical surface. The maximum occurrence probability of noise storms is associated with regions in the Jovian magnetosphere where the axis of the emission cone is most inclined toward the Jovian equatorial plane. The calculations utilize and compare two of the octopole spherical harmonic expansions of the Jovian magnetic field constructed from data accumulated by the fluxgate and vector helium magnetometers on board Pioneer 11.

Goldstein, M. L.↗

Photoelectron emission from Io as the cause of enhancements of the Jovian decametric radiation.

A theoretical explanation for the dependence of the Jovian decametric radiation on the position of its satellite Io is advanced in terms of electrostatic instabilities created by injection into the hot natural plasma of cold photoelectrons from Io. This may be tested with appropriately positioned and presently planned deep-space probes that search for variations of the Jovian decametric radiation at times following local sunset and sunrise at Io.

Mozer, F. S.↗

Z mode radiation in Jupiter's magnetosphere - The source of Jovian continuum radiation

Observations of Z-mode waves in Jupiter's magnetosphere are analyzed. The assumption that the frequency of the intensity minimum, which isolates the signal, corresponds to the electron plasma frequency provides a consistent interpretation of all spectral features in terms of plasma resonances and cutoffs. It is shown that the continuum radiation is composed of both left-hand and right-hand polarized waves with distinct cutoffs observed at the plasma frequency and right-hand cutoff frequency, respectively. It is found that the Z-mode peak frequency lies close to the left-hand cutoff frequency, suggesting that the observed characteristics of the emission are the result of wave reflection at the cutoff layer. Another distinct emission occurring near the upper hybrid resonance frequency is detected simultaneously with the Z mode. The entire set of observations gives strong support to the linear mode theory of the conversion of upper hybrid waves to continuum radiation mediated by the Z mode via the Budden radio window mechanism.

Barbosa, D. D.↗

Models of Jovian decametric radiation

We present a critical review of theoretical models of Jovian decametric radiation, with particular emphasis on the Io-modulated emission. The problem is divided into three broad aspects: the mechanism coupling Io's orbital motion to the inner exosphere, the consequent instability mechanism by which electromagnetic waves are amplified, and the subsequent propagation of the waves in the source region and the Jovian plasmasphere. At present there exists no comprehensive theory that treats all of these aspects quantitatively within a single framework. Acceleration of particles by plasma sheaths near Io appears to be a promising explanation for the coupling mechanism, while most of the properties of the emission may be explained in the context of cyclotron instability of a highly anisotropic distribution of streaming particles. The present state of the theory is evaluated, and some suggested approaches for future work are discussed.

Smith, R. A.↗

Models of Jovian decametric radiation

A critical review is presented of theoretical models of Jovian decametric radiation, with particular emphasis on the Io-modulated emission. The problem is divided into three broad aspects: (1) the mechanism coupling Io's orbital motion to the inner exosphere, (2) the consequent instability mechanism by which electromagnetic waves are amplified, and (3) the subsequent propagation of the waves in the source region and the Jovian plasmasphere. At present there exists no comprehensive theory that treats all of these aspects quantitatively within a single framework. Acceleration of particles by plasma sheaths near Io is proposed as an explanation for the coupling mechanism, while most of the properties of the emission may be explained in the context of cyclotron instability of a highly anisotropic distribution of streaming particles.

Smith, R. A.↗

A theory of the Io phase asymmetry of the Jovian decametric radiation

An explanation of an asymmetry in the occurrence probability of the Io-dependent Jovian decametric radiation is proposed. Io generates stronger Alfven waves toward the south when it is in the northern part of the torus. This wave then generates decametric radiation in the northern ionosphere after it reflects in the southern ionosphere. The asymmetry then results from computing the propagation time of the alfven wave along this trajectory. The ray paths of the decameter radiation are calculated using a three dimensional ray tracing program in the Jovian ionosphere. Variations in the expected probability plots are computer for two models of the Jovian ionosphere and global magnetic field, as well as for several choices of the ratio of the radiated frequency to the X-mode cutoff frequency.

Hashimoto, K.↗

Jovian magnetic models and the polarization angle of Jovian decimetric radiation

A comparative study of the direction of linear polarization of Jovian decimetric (synchrotron) radiation as measured astronomically and as determined from a model of the inner Jovian magnetosphere is discussed. It is noted that the model depicts the radiation as coming from rings of relativistic electrons in the Jovimagnetic equator at varying radial distances from the center of the planet. The equator is determined through each of two magnetic representations - the O4 model of Acuna and Ness (1976) and the P10-11 model of Smith et al. (1976) - derived from in situ Pioneer magnetometer measurements. Deviations from a (planar) dipole equator are found to occur at nearly all longitudes in both models; no evidence is found for a longitudinally localized magnetic anomaly.

Birmingham, T. J.↗

High resolution spectral analyses of the Jovian decametric radiation. I - Burst morphology and drift rates

Morphological analyses of high-resolution spectral recordings of Jovian decametric radiation show a regime of phenomena not seen at lower resolutions. Observed emissions range from narrow-band (50 kHz) simple quasi-periodic bursts to wide-band emissions (extending over a 500-kHz passband) exhibiting complex structural detail. Assuming gyroemission from electrons in a dipole field for which the magnetic moment is 10 Gauss Jupiter-radius-cubed, drift-rate measurements of the bursts indicate that the source size is of the order of 600 km and its location is near 1.3 Jupiter radii at a colatitude of 27.3 deg. The measurements suggest that the emitting electrons belong to a population having a very specific equatorial pitch angle near 3.5 deg. This study concludes that it may be possible to verify gyroemission as the mechanism responsible for the decametric radiation.

Krausche, D. S.↗

Modeling of Jovian Hectometric Radiation Source Locations: Ulysses Observations

The Unified Radio and Plasma Wave (URAP) experiment on Ulysses has provided unique high latitude measurements of Jovian hectometric radiation (HOM) during its encounter with Jupiter in February 1992. URAP was the first radio instrument in the Jovian environment with radio direction-finding capability, which was previously used to determine the HOM source locations in the Jovian magnetosphere. These initial source location determinations were based on several assumptions, including the neglect of refractive effects, which may be tested. We have, for the first time, combined the measured incident ray-direction at the spacecraft with a model magnetosphere to directly trace the rays back to the HOM source. We concentrate on the observations of HOM from high northern latitudes when Ulysses was at distances less than 15 R(sub j). The three- dimensional ray-tracing calculations presented here indicate that the HOM sources probably lie on L shells in the range 3 less than or approximately equal to L less than 7 (tilted dipole magnetic field model) consistent with previous determinations that ignored the effects of refraction. The ray-tracing results, however, indicate that wave refraction due to the Io torus and the magnetic field can significantly influence the precise source location. We show that constraints on the locations imposed by the gyroemission mechanism suggest that the lo torus density may have experienced temporal and/or spatial fluctuations during the Ulysses observations of HOM. Finally, in the cold plasma approximation we demonstrate that even if the emission were nearly linearly polarized near the source region, almost circular polarization will be observed at Ulysses, in agreement with observations.

Menietti, J. D.↗

The emission of narrow-band Jovian kilometric radiation

A model based on the nonlinear coupling of electrostatic plasma waves is proposed to explain the emission of the narrow-band Jovian kilometric radiation (nKOM) observed by the Voyager spacecraft. It is shown that upper-hybrid branch electrostatic waves propagating through the inhomogeneities in the outer periphery of the Io plasma torus can attain the proper geometry for localized upconversion interactions leading to pump depletion. Plasma waves propagating into a weak density gradient and reflected at the critical layer interact with the incident waves leading to the electromagnetic emission, which is beamed at large angles with respect to the background magnetic field. In general, both L-O and R-X mode waves can be generated. The observed power and net polarization (L-O) are consistent with pump depletion of electrostatic waves at a level of about 10 mV/m. A possible excitation mechanism for the electrostatic waves is also discussed.

Fung, S. F.↗