Why Study Jovian Plasma Waves?

The frequencies of plasma waves can often provide diagnostic information about a plasma such as its density (or number of electrons in a given volume) or the strength of the magnetic field.

Plasma waves often act as intermediaries in the conversion of different types of plasma energy into others, such as simple heat.

Plasma waves are likely important in limiting the intensity of Jupiter's Van Allen radiation belts and may serve to drive some of the Jovian auroral lights.

A new Galileo result is that the plasma wave environments of the four Galilean satellites are unique, helping us to understand differences in the way each of the satellites interacts with the Jovian environment.