Three-dimensional modeling of Ganymede’s Chapman–Ferraro magnetic field and its role in subsurface ocean induction

Abstract

In April 2023, the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) began its journey to orbit Jupiter’s largest and only magnetic moon, Ganymede. Part of the mission’s objectives aim to verify existence of the moon’s subsurface ocean and determine its structure through its induced response to external excitation by periodically varying magnetic field. Known contributions to the excitation are those from Jupiter’s dipole (at synodic period) and quadrupole (at half-synodic period) variations, and Ganymede’s inclined eccentric orbit around Jupiter (at orbital period). We propose that Ganymede’s magnetopause, where the Chapman–Ferraro (C–F) magnetic field arises from local currents, also contributes to subsurface ocean induction. This article introduces the first three-dimensional model of the C–F field and its outputs at Ganymede’s subsurface ocean and larger magnetosphere. The field is shown to be non-uniform — strongest near upstream Ganymede’s subflow region and gradually weakening away from it. Magnetopause asymmetry due to the Jovian guide field results in largely synodic variation of the C–F field, with exceptions near Ganymede’s equator and subflow meridian where asymmetry effects are minimal and the variations are half-synodic. The C–F field amplitude is of general order ~50 nT, which is significant relative to excitation from the Jovian field. Comparisons to Galileo data and magnetohydrodynamic simulation results suggest the model is useful, therefore the magnetopause effects must be considered in future induction modeling of Ganymede’s subsurface ocean ahead of the Juice mission.

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ORCID for Nawapat Kaweeyanun: orcid.org/0000-0003-0634-0164

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