
Jovian Chorus
Jovian chorus is generated in Jupiter's radiation belts by
electrons spiraling along Jupiter's magnetic field lines in
this region. Once generated, the chorus waves interact with
the moving electrons, disturbing the spiral orbit of the
electrons and causing them to fall into the Jupiter's ionosphere
along the magnetic field lines at high latitudes.
Chorus waves consist of a rapid succession of intense
ascending tones, rising in frequency over very short time
intervals, each tone lasting typically less than one second.
The frequencies of these rising tones occur in the audio
frequency range and sound like a dawn chorus of chirping birds,
a sound which gives these waves their name.
Return to
Sounds of Space table
Sounds of Space
Radio and Plasma Wave Research Group
The Department of Physics and Astronomy
The University of Iowa