Latest Discoveries
Io Generates Noise, But No Magnetic Field
One of the mysteries about Io that scientists were hoping to solve is whether or not it generates its own magnetic field. That question was put to rest with measurements taken near Io's north and south poles during the August, 2001 flyby of the Galileo spacecraft. The data revealed that no intrinsic field exists. This indicates that Io's molten iron core does not have the same kind of convective activity that exists within Earth's core. Convection in the core is responsible for generating Earth's magnetic field. Io's core is assumed to be heated by the tidal flexing of its surrounding layers.
Photo Credit: NASA/JPL
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