An explanation of synchrotron radiation enhancement following the impact of Shoemaker‐Levy 9 with Jupiter

Abstract

The impact of comet Shoemaker‐Levy 9 (SL‐9) with Jupiter generated a marked increase in synchrotron radiation levels, contrary to predictions that cometary dust would reduce the observed level of synchrotron radiation. The observed increase can be explained by the acceleration of magnetospheric electrons by shock waves emanating from fragment impact points and propagating upward into the Jovian magnetosphere.