Statics of the nightside Jovian plasma sheet

Abstract
We present analyses of data from the low energy charged particle (LECP) and magnetic field (MAG) experiments on the Voyager 2 spacecraft that demonstrate that the configuration of the Jovian plasma sheet at distances ∼80 to ∼120 RJ is determined by ions (protons and heavier nuclei) of energies ≳30 keV. The energy densities of these ions are sufficient to provide the diamagnetic depressions in the magnetic field strengths observed as the spacecraft crossed the Jovian plasma sheet. The particle bulk direction of motion is predominantly across the local magnetic field, consistent with that expected from corotation of the planetary magnetic field.