Voyager 2 Plasma Science: Jupiter Outbound Magnetosheath Ion Data, 1979

96-second resolution plasma parameters from the Voyager 2 spacecraft's outbound trajectory from Jupiter between July 23 and August 10, 1979. The dataset includes derived ion density and thermal speed parameters, with reliable solar wind data and magnetosheath measurements. It was supplied by instrument principal investigator John D. Richardson for NASA.

Use Cases

• Modeling plasma flow and density in Jupiter's magnetosheath based on the derived ion density parameter.
• Analyzing ion thermal speed variations in the solar wind during the Voyager 2 flyby period.
• Studying the transition boundary (magnetopause) between Jupiter's magnetotail and the magnetosheath using the contextual data provided.
• Comparing Maxwellian fit parameters with moment parameters for single, isotropic proton distributions as described.

Strengths

• Data has a consistent 96-second sampling rate for the specified time period.
• Solar wind data within the set are explicitly noted as reliable.
• Covers a specific, scientifically significant event: Voyager 2's outbound trajectory from Jupiter.

Limitations

• Magnetotail data in the set are described as unreliable, with density values serving only as an upper limit.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Derived from the Voyager 2 Plasma Science (PLS) instrument measurements.

Time Range

1979-07-23T23:42:34.541Z to 1979-08 10T04:04:57.070Z

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 14:03:58.225862; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Space: Jupiter's magnetosheath, magnetotail, and surrounding solar wind.