Entropy Parameter of Jupiter’s Magnetosphere

The nonconservation of entropy in space plasmas can result from magnetic reconfiguration as well as nonadiabatic processes such as plasma transport and energy transport. The theory of plasma transport in Earth's plasma sheet depends critically on the entropy parameter PV^5/3, where P is particle pressure and V is the volume of a closed flux tube containing one unit of magnetic flux. The stability and dynamics of the magnetosphere could be indicated by the change of entropy parameter. This paper shows the distribution of entropy parameter in the Jupiter's stable magnetosphere model using the analysis method in Earth's plasma sheet. The entropy parameter increases by four order of magnitudes quickly between 5R_j and 55R_j and then decline slowly. The result shows that the magnetosphere is unstable beyond 55R_j. The paper also shows the contour of the entropy parameter after the fictitious magnetic reconnection. It points out that the reconnection near the equatorial plane is caused by the rupture and reconnection of the flux tube which transports tailward.