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Chapter 10: Problem 15

T/F: Auroras on Jupiter are created in part by particles from Io.

Short Answer

Expert verified
True

Step by step solution

01

Understand Auroras on Jupiter

Auroras on planets, including Jupiter, are caused by the interaction between the planet's magnetosphere and charged particles. These particles collide with the atmosphere, creating bright displays of light around the poles.
02

Identify Sources of Particles

Determine if there are particles originating from Io that could contribute to Jupiter’s auroras. Io is one of Jupiter’s moons and is known for its volcanic activity, which releases a large amount of particles into space.
03

Confirm the Contribution of Io’s Particles

Research findings and scientific studies have shown that particles from Io, especially sulfur and oxygen ions, are guided by Jupiter’s magnetic field toward the pole regions, where they cause auroras.
04

Answer the Question

Based on the information gathered in Steps 1-3, determine whether the statement is true or false.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Jupiter's magnetosphere
Jupiter's magnetosphere is an enormous region of space influenced by Jupiter's magnetic field. It is one of the largest structures in the Solar System, extending millions of kilometers into space. The magnetosphere traps charged particles and guides them towards the planet's poles. When these particles interact with Jupiter's atmosphere, they cause spectacular auroras. The strength and size of Jupiter's magnetosphere make it particularly effective at trapping and directing charged particles, contributing to some of the brightest auroras seen in the Solar System.
charged particles
Charged particles are essential in the creation of auroras. They can come from various sources, including the solar wind and moons like Io. These particles are typically ions and electrons. When they enter Jupiter's magnetosphere, they are accelerated and guided along magnetic field lines. Upon reaching the atmosphere near the poles, they collide with gas molecules, resulting in a release of energy that we perceive as light. The different colors in auroras are due to different types of gas molecules being excited by the collisions.
Io's volcanic activity
Io, one of Jupiter's moons, is known for its intense volcanic activity. Unlike any other moon in the Solar System, Io’s numerous volcanoes eject vast amounts of sulfur and oxygen ions into space. These ions are then picked up by Jupiter’s magnetosphere. The volcanic material from Io becomes a significant source of the charged particles that ultimately create auroras on Jupiter. The close relationship between Io's volcanic activity and Jupiter's auroras highlights the complex interactions within the Jovian system.
sulfur and oxygen ions
Sulfur and oxygen ions are the primary particles released from Io due to its volcanic eruptions. These ions become part of Jupiter's magnetosphere and are directed toward the polar regions by the planet’s magnetic field. When these sulfur and oxygen ions collide with the gases in Jupiter's atmosphere, they cause the bright and stunning light displays known as auroras. Understanding the composition of these ions helps scientists explain the specific characteristics of Jupiter's auroras, such as their intensity and variation in color.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

An occultation occurs when a. a star passes between Earth and a planet. b. a planet passes between Earth and a star. c. a planet passes between Earth and the Sun. d. the Sun passes between Earth and a planet.

Uranus occults a star at a time when the relative motion between Uranus and Earth is \(23.0 \mathrm{km} / \mathrm{s}\). An observer on Earth sees the star disappear for 37 minutes and 2 seconds and notes that the center of Uranus passed directly in front of the star. a. On the basis of these observations, what value would the observer calculate for the diameter of Uranus? b. What could you conclude about the planet's diameter if its center did not pass directly in front of the star?

T/F: Storms on giant planets last much longer than do storms on Earth.

Go to websites for the NASA Juno mission (http://nasa.gov/ mission_pages/juno and http://missionjuno.swri.edu), a spacecraft that was launched in 2011 and is scheduled to arrive at Jupiter in \(2016 .\) What are the science goals of the mission? What will happen to the spacecraft at the end of the mission? Examine the mission's trajectory. Why does it loop around the Sun and pass Earth again in 2013 before heading to Jupiter? Why is there a plaque dedicated to Galileo Galilei on the spacecraft?

When viewed by radio telescopes, Jupiter is the second brightest object in the sky. What is the source of its radiation?
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