Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Angular momentum transfer to the inner Jovian satellites

Abstract

THE transfer of angular momentum from a central rotating body in the presence of a magnetic field has been discussed in connection with the evolutionary history of the Solar System1. We here consider angular momentum transfer in the inner Jovian satellite system. Electron flux measurements near Io's flux tube2, and theoretical estimates of the electric current flowing through Io's flux tube3 are used to estimate the angular momentum transfer during the evolutionary history of the Jovian system. We find that, under certain conditions, those currents are sufficient to produce an angular momentum transfer from Jupiter equal to the present angular momentum of the inner satellites.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Alfvén, H., and Arrhenius, G., Astrophys. Space Sci. 21, 117 (1973).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. Fillius, R. W., McIlwain, C. E., and Mogro-Campero, A., Science, 188, 465 (1975).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Hubbard, R. F., Shawhan, S. D., and Joyce, G., J. geophys. Res., 79, 920 (1974).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. Smith, E. J., et al., J. geophys. Res., 79, 3501 (1974).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. Newburn, R. L., and Gulkis, S., Space Sci. Rev., 3, 179 (1973).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  6. Desch, M. D., and Carr, T. D., Astrophys. J. Lett., 194, L57 (1974).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

MOGRO-CAMPERO, A. Angular momentum transfer to the inner Jovian satellites. Nature 258, 692–693 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/258692a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/258692a0

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing