Debrup Hui

Graduation Semester and Year

2009

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Physics

Department

Physics

First Advisor

Yi-jiun Su

Abstract

Jupiter's magnetosphere and magnetotail is the largest cohesive structure in our solar system which extends to the orbit of Saturn. One of NASA's objectives is to understand how universal bodies interact with its surroundings. The New Horizons (NH) mission is the first satellite to traverse axially through the Jovian magnetotail and obtain in-situ data. The Solar Wind Around Pluto (SWAP) instrument onboard NH measured low energy ions from 35eV to 7.5 keV in the Jovian magnetotail during its fly-by. We analyzed SWAP data from 500-1750 Jovian radii (RJ) when the spacecraft was spinning. A 3D phase-space density fitting procedure was constructed to calculate fluid moments, such as densities, velocities, Mach numbers, temperatures, and thermal pressures, to better understand the ion characteristics in the magnetotail. The results indicate that Jupiter's magnetotail is a highly dynamic region with tremendous variations.

Disciplines

Physical Sciences and Mathematics | Physics

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

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