AS101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Galilean Moons, Roche Limit, Tidal Heating
Document Summary
Magnetosphere - the volume of space around a planet within which the motion of charged particles is dominated by the planet"s magnetic field, rather than the solar wind. Likely due to water cloud layer in jupiter atmosphere: water is a polar molecule so charge separation can occur easily with water o up to 1000x more energy than lightning on earth. If a satellite"s orbit brings it within its planet"s roche limit, tidal forces will pull the satellite apart (about 2. 4 times the planet"s radius) 4 largest moons are the galilean satellites. Galilean moons the 4 largest out of 50+ moons of jupiter. Formed at the time of jupiter"s formation: like a mini solar system. Tidally locked with jupiter (same face always towards planet, synchronous rotation) Elliptical orbit -> pulled by jupiter and outer galilean moons. Perhaps a subsurface salty water ocean: one of the most promising places to look for life in the solar system.
