GMRT observations of Jupiter's synchrotron radio emission at 610 MHz

Abstract

The non-thermal decimeteric radio emission from Jupiter is dominated by synchrotron emission originating from high-energy electrons trapped in Jupiter's inner radiation belt (<5 Jovian radii). We observed Jupiter during February 24 - March 3, 2003 with the GMRT to study its day-to-day variability. Each day's observations lasted for ~10 hours (the rotation period of Jupiter). These observations suggest a correlation between the Jupiter radio flux density and the solar radio flux density at 10.7 cm (which is a proxy for solar EUV flux). Short-term variability (flux density change by 20%) seen at 610 MHz in 6-day observation seems to be due to enhanced solar EUV activity. This is the first result reporting the short-term variability in Jupiter synchrotron radiation at 610 MHz. The results have implications for Jovian radiation belt dynamics and upper atmospheric processes.