I wrote:Haven't heard much recently from you guys. What's the latest?
I did however read this recent Universe Today article:
(Electrically Charged Particles Found in Enceladus’ Plumes; Universe Today site)
http://www.universetoday.com/2009/04/21 ... us-plumes/
Specifically, I'm interested here in one aspect of the article (among others):
“What are particularly fascinating are the bursts of dust that CAPS detects when Cassini passes through the individual jets in the plume” says Jones. “Each jet is split according to charge though”, adds Arridge, “Negative grains are on one side, and positive ones on the other”.
This interests me on account of some other research I've been doing on my own time (as a hobby, nothing professional).
Specifically, the description brings to mind two things which MAY be related tho this apparent "separation" of charges. The first is an electrostatic double layer (an electrical phenomenon in plasma). The second (and I think more germane) possibility is "Birkeland currents" (field-aligned currents).
(Electric Currents from Space -- History; Phy6 site)
http://phy6.org/Education/whcurren.html
In near-Earth space it's known that Birkeland current flow from the sun to the Earth across space in filamentary currents. They will tend to flow downward one way and upward the other. Likewise, ions will be accelerated one way, while electrons are accelerated the other (net differential motion of charges and more-or-less the definition of an electric current).
(Auroras on Mars; irf.se site science paper from Feb06)
http://www.irf.se/link/Science_paper_feb06
One is also tempted to point out that it is known that Io (switching gears for a moment) is connected to Jupiter via a "flux tube" (electric current of about a million Amps). It was recently suggested that there is an electron beam flowing from one pole of Jupiter to the other.
(New, Unexpected Spots Found on Jupiter; Universe Today site)
http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/18 ... n-jupiter/
Assuming it's not an electrostatic discharge that will end at some point, I also assume any circuit involved must close somewhere: either THROUGH Jupiter or OVER its surface.
I suggest lightly that Enceladus is involved in precisely such an interaction with Saturn as well. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. If that be so, might it not be that the heat from Enceladus' pole is an ELECTRICAL effect (with the current descending down one way, through the surface with heating by resistance and then reascending elsewhere)? Might explain why the pole is unexpectedly warmer than the rest of the planet AND why the jets are also located in the region (electric / electrochemical surface sputtering, not unlike that proposed for the local production of OH radicals in Mercury's atmosphere and tail; seeing as how water cannot exist at it s surface).
Wold it be possible to LOOK for such effects? Is there radio noise from the region of the plumes similar to that found over Io?
(Jupiter's Io Generates Power and Noise, But No Magnetic Field; SpaceRef site)
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=6849
"'You hear a whistling sound from Jupiter's radio emissions, then, just when you go over the pole, you hear a tremendous roar that starts abruptly, then stops abruptly,' Gurnett said. 'It's like the noise from a huge electrical power generator.' Io actually generates as much wattage as about 1,000 nuclear power plants."
Also from the article:
"Galileo detected electrical currents flowing along magnetic field lines above two areas of volcanic activity on Io."
Is it not possible that the "volcanoes" have been misinterpreted and are in fact the electrical effect described by Peratt & Dessler in a paper on the filamentation of Io's volcanic plumes? Likewise that the flux tube(s) play a more important role than previously envisaged?
Commentary appreciated, if you care to look into the issue further. Perhaps draw up some ideas for the next round of observations to confirm or refute?
Best Regards,
~Michael
