• ISSN 2097-1893
    • CN 10-1855/P

    木星辐射带高能粒子环境

    Energetic particle environment of Jupiter's radiation belts

    • 摘要: 木星具有太阳系行星中最强的内禀磁场、最快的自转速度、最活跃的天然卫星(木卫一)以及最强的辐射带. 木星辐射带高能粒子主要由接近光速运动的电子、质子及重离子(主要是氧离子和硫离子)组成,其粒子通量与能量均远高于地球辐射带. 作为一个天然的高能粒子加速器,木星辐射带不仅对理解基本等离子体物理过程具有重要的基础研究意义,同时直接关系到木星系探测任务的轨道方案设计、辐射防护设计以及对其卫星宜居性的评估. 在太阳风、行星自转与天然卫星等多重因素的共同影响下,木星辐射带表现出极为复杂的空间结构和动态演化特征. 然而,受限于探测数据的匮乏(尤其是木星辐射带核心区域的有效探测数据),当前对其认知仍存在诸多不足. 本文基于已开展的木星辐射带研究,系统综述木星辐射带高能粒子环境方面的进展. 首先介绍了木星的电子与离子辐射带的空间结构、粒子能谱特性与投掷角分布特征,并与地球辐射带和土星辐射带进行对比;进而探讨木星辐射带高能粒子的起源、加速和损失机制,并讨论天然卫星对木星辐射带粒子演化的影响;随后概述目前木星辐射带基于观测的经验模型和基于物理过程的数值模型进展. 最后,分析当前开展木星辐射带研究中亟须解决的关键科学问题,并初步归纳木星极端辐射环境对木星系探测任务带来的挑战.

       

      Abstract: Jupiter possesses the strongest intrinsic magnetic field, the fastest rotation rate, the most volcanically active moon (Io), and the strongest radiation belts among all planets in the Solar System. Jupiter's radiation belts are primarily composed of electrons, protons, and heavy ions (mainly oxygen and sulfur ions) moving at relativistic speeds. Both the particle flux and energy in these belts significantly exceed those of Earth's radiation belts. As a natural particle accelerator, Jupiter's radiation belts are not only of fundamental importance for understanding basic plasma physics processes, but also directly relevant to trajectory design, radiation protection for missions to the Jovian system, and the assessment of habitability of its moons. Under the combined influence of solar wind, planetary rotation, and natural satellites, Jupiter's radiation belts exhibit highly complex spatial structures and dynamic evolution. However, due to a lack of observational data—especially in the core region of the radiation belts—current understanding remains substantially incomplete. Based on existing researches on Jupiter’s radiation belts, this article provides a systematic review of advances in the study of energetic particle environment of Jupiter's radiation belts. It begins by introducing the spatial structure, energy spectrum characteristics, and pitch angle distribution of both electron and ion radiation belts, with comparisons made to the radiation belts of Earth and Saturn. The review further explores the origins, acceleration, and loss mechanisms of energetic particles in Jupiter's radiation belts, and discusses the influence of natural satellites on the evolution of these particles. An overview is also provided of current empirical models based on observations and progress in numerical modeling based on physical processes. Finally, the paper concludes by analyzing key scientific questions that urgently need to be addressed in current research on Jupiter's radiation belts and preliminarily outlines the challenges posed by Jupiter's extreme radiation environment for future exploration missions to the Jovian system.

       

    /

    返回文章
    返回