Galileo PWS: 1-Minute Averaged Electric and Magnetic Wave Spectra from Jupiter Orbit

NASA's Galileo spacecraft collected electric and magnetic wave spectral density measurements during its Jupiter orbital mission. The dataset contains 1-minute averages across 49 electric and 34 magnetic logarithmically-spaced frequency channels, derived from the High Frequency Receiver, Sweep Frequency Receiver, and Spectrum Analyzer. Data covers the prime, GEM, and GMM mission phases.

Use Cases

• Analyzing plasma wave intensity and frequency distribution based on spectral density measurements.
• Studying temporal variations in Jupiter's magnetospheric environment based on 1-minute averaged time-series data.
• Comparing electric and magnetic field wave spectra across different mission phases (prime, GEM, GMM).
• Investigating wave phenomena near specific Jovian moons (e.g., Io, Europa, Ganymede) based on the mission's spatial coverage.

Strengths

• Data originates from NASA's Galileo mission, a primary source for Jovian system science.
• Spectral information is binned into 49 electric and 34 magnetic frequency channels, providing structured frequency coverage.
• Covers multiple mission phases (prime, GEM, GMM), offering temporal context.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• The spectral resolution is reduced for browse purposes and does not correspond to the instrument's 158 specific channels.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Measurements from the Galileo spacecraft's Plasma Wave Sensor (PWS), processed into 1-minute averages.

Time Range

Covers the Galileo Jupiter orbital mission (prime, GEM, and GMM phases).

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 07:36:39.824946; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Jupiter's magnetosphere and orbital space around its moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto, Amalthea).