Jupiter’s energy crisis solved: Auroras roast upper atmosphere(earthsky.org)
earthsky.org
Jupiter’s energy crisis solved: Auroras roast upper atmosphere
https://earthsky.org/space/jupiters-energy-crisis-auroras-heat-upper-atmosphere/
9 comments
Probably ignorant question but, from a thermodynamic perspective does this mean that the planet captures more solar energy because of magnetic interactions with solar wind particles than is predicted purely from electromagnetic radiation?
There's a longstanding concern that the physics of electrical currents in large-scale plasmas (at solar system, interstellar, even intergalactic scales!) and corresponding magnetic fields — in sheets and filaments, which organize spontaneously according to the laws of nature, and involve powerful long-range interactions between them — has not received the attention it should, primarily because during the many decades in which the current "majority mindshare" astrophysics evolved, it was extremely difficult to attempt to model/test those concerns, with respect to both extreme computational complexity (super computers needed) and the fact such interactions don't readily boil down to simple/er models, which are easier for humans to iterate upon.
In effect, many astronomical observations are analyzed through a conceptual lens that reduces cause-effect to gravitation and resulting heat, i.e. something "sparkling in x-rays" must be accounted for by acceleration ultimately caused by gravity, or an explosion resulting from extreme gravity.
In effect, many astronomical observations are analyzed through a conceptual lens that reduces cause-effect to gravitation and resulting heat, i.e. something "sparkling in x-rays" must be accounted for by acceleration ultimately caused by gravity, or an explosion resulting from extreme gravity.
Dunno why but I love the phrase "Roast Jupiter" sounds like it would taste really nice
Interesting. I guess the appeal of "Roast Jupiter" might be related to (what SMBC calls) the Detroit rule [1]. Or the logical next step after the Deep-fried Mars bar.
[1] https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/2012-10-25
[1] https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/2012-10-25
Oh, thats great haha.
There's a wide body of scientific evidence supporting the fact that electromagnetic forces have a significant impact at many scales throughout the solar system and cosmos. It has been observed, since at least the early 70s, that the Sun's electric field induces auroras, radiation belts [0], and convection in planetary magnetospheres [1][2]. The OP title might be a little sensational by calling this an energy crisis - but the photos of the heat bands were really interesting IMO.
I admire movements like the Electric Universe Theory [3] for spreading awareness of plasma cosmology, magnetohydrodynamics, etc. I think in the future there will be an ecosystem around solar space weather, [4] is an example of such.
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Allen_radiation_belt
[1] https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/RG00...
[2] https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19700002717/downloads/19...
[3] https://www.electricuniverse.info/peer-reviewed-papers/
[4] https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
I admire movements like the Electric Universe Theory [3] for spreading awareness of plasma cosmology, magnetohydrodynamics, etc. I think in the future there will be an ecosystem around solar space weather, [4] is an example of such.
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Allen_radiation_belt
[1] https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/RG00...
[2] https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19700002717/downloads/19...
[3] https://www.electricuniverse.info/peer-reviewed-papers/
[4] https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
I'm pretty sure the Electric Universe Theory is fancy pseudoscience.
https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Electric_Universe
https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Electric_Universe
Do they not teach Landau damping in engineering classes?
Many have thought about life in the upper parts of Jupiter’s atmosphere (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jupiter_in_fiction). There’s some water, it’s hot, and the super lightning bolts add extra energy. The main problem it seems for small microorganisms is staying at the hospitable height: https://www.missionjuno.swri.edu/jupiter/atmosphere?show=hs_...
If there’s some sort of pocket/eddy that keeps a portion of the atmosphere at constant height continuously that might be a suitable place for early life.