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Modeling Jovian Plasma‐Europa Interactions: Innovative Atmosphere and Ionosphere Depiction for JUICE Mission Insights.

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Title: Modeling Jovian Plasma‐Europa Interactions: Innovative Atmosphere and Ionosphere Depiction for JUICE Mission Insights.
Authors: Baskevitch, C.1,2 (AUTHOR) claire.baskevitch@latmos.ipsl.fr, Modolo, R.1 (AUTHOR), Cecconi, B.2 (AUTHOR), Leblanc, F.1 (AUTHOR), Wahlund, J.‐E.3 (AUTHOR), Aizawa, S.4 (AUTHOR), Oza, A.5 (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics. Nov2025, Vol. 130 Issue 11, p1-24. 24p.
Subject Terms: *Atmosphere, *Ionosphere, Europa (Satellite), Plasma interactions, Magnetosphere, Hybrid computer simulation
Company/Entity: European Space Agency
Abstract: The JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) mission, launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) in April 2023, aims to explore Jupiter and its icy moons, particularly focusing on Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. This study uses the Latmos Hybrid Simulation (LatHyS) model to simulate Europa's plasma and field environment, emphasizing the upcoming JUICE flybys in July 2032. The LatHyS model, incorporating a detailed 3D exospheric model and a self‐consistent ionosphere, allows for comprehensive analysis of the moon‐plasma interactions at ion scales. Our simulations, validated against Galileo's E4 flyby data, demonstrate the model's accuracy in reproducing key features of the plasma environment and ionospheric dynamics. To characterize the system's response to neutral/ionospheric environment assumptions, we compare three simulations, with different neutral and ionosphere impacts, revealing the ionosphere's influence on the magnetic field intensity. Using an atmosphere derived from a planetary exosphere simulation model like EGM allows for the consideration of various asymmetries and multiple major neutral species, supporting further studies on ionospheric ion dynamics. Results highlight the complex interactions influenced by Europa's neutral and ionospheric conditions, providing insights for the anticipated JUICE observations. The measured signatures primarily depend on the interactions with the ionosphere along the spacecraft's trajectory and simulations show that a dense ionosphere deduced from radio occultation observations cannot reproduce the observed in situ signatures. The exosphere being a source for planetary ions, it was shown that it is significant to consider the spatial asymmetries in global interaction models in order to better account for its impact on the system. Plain Language Summary: The European Space Agency's JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) mission, launched in April 2023, is set to explore Jupiter's icy moons Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. Two close flybys of Europa are scheduled in July 2032. JUICE will investigate in particular the moon's atmosphere, ionosphere, and its interactions with Jupiter's magnetosphere. To prepare for these observations, we used a computational model to simulate Europa's environment. In this model, we defined the atmosphere using two different methods. The first is to describe it analytically with a spherical symmetry assumption, which is the usual method. We have also chosen to introduce an atmosphere resulting from a model that allows us to introduce different species and asymmetries. By comparing these simulations with data from the Galileo mission, we confirm that the model effectively captures Europa's complex environment. The results suggest that the ionosphere has a significant effect on the size and properties of the induced planetary plasma cavity. We also conducted simulations for the upcoming JUICE mission flybys of Europa. These findings will help ensuring that the JUICE mission gathers meaningful data, enhancing our understanding of this intriguing moon and to better constrain the properties of a subsurface ocean. Key Points: A 3D hybrid model is used to simulate Europa's interactions with the jovian plasma during the Galileo E4 flyby and the future JUICE's flybysThree neutral/ionospheric environment models were compared, in order to observe the system's response to their variationsAn attempt for a realistic coupling between a 3D exosphere model and 3D kinetic plasma description of Europa‐Jovian plasma interaction [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: GreenFILE
Description
Abstract:The JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) mission, launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) in April 2023, aims to explore Jupiter and its icy moons, particularly focusing on Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. This study uses the Latmos Hybrid Simulation (LatHyS) model to simulate Europa's plasma and field environment, emphasizing the upcoming JUICE flybys in July 2032. The LatHyS model, incorporating a detailed 3D exospheric model and a self‐consistent ionosphere, allows for comprehensive analysis of the moon‐plasma interactions at ion scales. Our simulations, validated against Galileo's E4 flyby data, demonstrate the model's accuracy in reproducing key features of the plasma environment and ionospheric dynamics. To characterize the system's response to neutral/ionospheric environment assumptions, we compare three simulations, with different neutral and ionosphere impacts, revealing the ionosphere's influence on the magnetic field intensity. Using an atmosphere derived from a planetary exosphere simulation model like EGM allows for the consideration of various asymmetries and multiple major neutral species, supporting further studies on ionospheric ion dynamics. Results highlight the complex interactions influenced by Europa's neutral and ionospheric conditions, providing insights for the anticipated JUICE observations. The measured signatures primarily depend on the interactions with the ionosphere along the spacecraft's trajectory and simulations show that a dense ionosphere deduced from radio occultation observations cannot reproduce the observed in situ signatures. The exosphere being a source for planetary ions, it was shown that it is significant to consider the spatial asymmetries in global interaction models in order to better account for its impact on the system. Plain Language Summary: The European Space Agency's JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) mission, launched in April 2023, is set to explore Jupiter's icy moons Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. Two close flybys of Europa are scheduled in July 2032. JUICE will investigate in particular the moon's atmosphere, ionosphere, and its interactions with Jupiter's magnetosphere. To prepare for these observations, we used a computational model to simulate Europa's environment. In this model, we defined the atmosphere using two different methods. The first is to describe it analytically with a spherical symmetry assumption, which is the usual method. We have also chosen to introduce an atmosphere resulting from a model that allows us to introduce different species and asymmetries. By comparing these simulations with data from the Galileo mission, we confirm that the model effectively captures Europa's complex environment. The results suggest that the ionosphere has a significant effect on the size and properties of the induced planetary plasma cavity. We also conducted simulations for the upcoming JUICE mission flybys of Europa. These findings will help ensuring that the JUICE mission gathers meaningful data, enhancing our understanding of this intriguing moon and to better constrain the properties of a subsurface ocean. Key Points: A 3D hybrid model is used to simulate Europa's interactions with the jovian plasma during the Galileo E4 flyby and the future JUICE's flybysThree neutral/ionospheric environment models were compared, in order to observe the system's response to their variationsAn attempt for a realistic coupling between a 3D exosphere model and 3D kinetic plasma description of Europa‐Jovian plasma interaction [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:21699380
DOI:10.1029/2025JA033740