• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.61-64
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• 2015

The brightness of Io's magnetic footprint, an indicator of electromagnetic interaction at the satellite, appears to be strongly connected to the satellite's distance from the plasma equator. As a result, the brightest footprints were detected when Io is near the interception location between the satellite's orbital plane and the plasma equator. However, volcanic activities on Io show strong correlation with the equatorward shift of Jupiter's main auroral oval, consequently causing the disappearance of Io's footprint. The same conclusion was suggested via the observation of Jupiter's hectometric radio emission, called HOM, which closely corresponds to Jupiter's auroral activity. The plasma environment near the Jovian satellites was found to vary significantly at different observational epochs. The electron density increased by approximately a factor of three from the Voyager epoch (1979) to the Galileo epoch (1995), while the electron density was found to be significantly higher (~ 5 times) in the Cassini epoch (2001). In this current study, the magnetic footprints were clearly brighter ten years ago (from peak brightness in 1998-2001) than the footprints detected in 2007. For volcanic activities on Io in 2007, there are two clear activities in February and late May. The magnetic footprint appeared to be dimmer in March 2007, expected to be the result of volcano activities in Feb 2007. However, the magnetic footprint brightness in June appeared to be slightly brighter than the footprints observed in May. The reason could be the time delay between the brightening of the sodium nebula on approximately May 31st and, a while later, the enhancement of flux tube content peaking on approximately June 5th. On the other hand, Io's magnetic footprints were observed during June 1st - 10th when they may not yet have been affected by the increase in mass outflow due to the increase of plasma density.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.89-95
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• 1995

We examined a total of 166 images of $3.5{\mu}m\;H_3^+$ emission in the auroral regions of Jupiter observed with the Protocam on IRTF in 1991 and 1992, and found that 30 images contain a clearly isolated small emission patch in the vicinity of the northern auroral regions. Two different time sequences of the images show the small patches at the dusk limb in the range of System III longitudes from $270^{\circ}\;through\;0^{\circ}\;to\;90^{circ}$. The small patches in one sequence of the images, which were taken at 10 phase between $240^{\circ}\;and\;260^{\circ}$, may be related to the 10 flux tube, similarly suggested by Connerney et al. (1993). However, the small patches in the other sequence are separated from Io as much as $80^{\circ}$ in longitude. The positions of the small patches in both sequences are deviated equatorward from the 10 footprint oval by $5^{\circ}-8^{\circ}$ latitude in the longitudinal range of $270^{\circ}-360^{\circ}$. A significant modification is required in current Jovian magnetic field models near the Jupiter's surface if the small patches are produced at the foot of the 10 flux tube.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.127-134
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• 1995

Recent discovery of an Io-related feature in Jupiter's auroral regions prompted us to search for an or multiplet at $1304{\AA}$ in IUE aurora spectra. In three independent IUE spectra taken on January 18, 1981, we found an emission structure at $1304{\AA}$, with a signal-to-noise of about three. If the structure is due to the OI emission, then it is a direct evidence of oxygen ion precipitation, which may originate from Io and Io torus. The emission rates of the $H_2$ band systems and the or multiplet are about 50 kR and 150 R, respectively. We have constructed high resolution model spectra with the estimated emission rates of $H_2$, OI and SI for the Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph (GHRS) onboard the Hubble Space Telescope. The model spectra clearly show the or and SI mulitplets separated from crowded $H_2$ Lyman and Werner band lines, and therefore it is promising to detect the OI and SI multiplets with the GHRS. Given the possibility that the lo-related feature may be caused by ion precipitations from the Io flux tube, it is likely that the OI emission may be detected in the footprint area of the IO flux tube.