A Localized and Surprising Source of Energetic Ions in the Uranian Magnetosphere Between Miranda and Ariel

Abstract

Abstract In situ exploration of Uranus has been limited to a single flyby encounter by the Voyager 2 spacecraft in January 1986. Nonetheless, new investigation has led to significant questions about the origin of energetic ions observed in the region between its moons Miranda and Ariel. Radial and pitch angle diffusion modeling suggests that typical magnetospheric sources cannot explain the observed characteristics of these energetic ions. We suggest that these are likely being introduced by a source from one of these moons and give rise to waves that could result in the observed particle distribution characteristics. This may reveal that internal plasma sources in the system may be important for Uranus' magnetospheric dynamics and may contribute to its unexpectedly strong radiation belts.

Keywords

• Uranus
• planetary magnetospheres
• Voyager 2
• energetic particles
• ocean worlds