Observations of Planets with the Suzaku X-ray Observatory
Abstract
We review observational results of planets (Jupiter, Earth and Mars) with the Suzaku X-ray Observatory. Recent Chandra and XMM-Newton observations revealed that X-rays can be used as a good probe to remotely study planetary environments such as Jovian aurora, Earth's exosphere, and Mars's atmosphere. We have been investigating planetary X-rays using X-ray CCDs onboard the Suzaku satellite, which has the lowest particle background and best energy response in currently available X-ray observatories. We discovered 1-5 keV diffuse X-ray emission around Jovian radiation belts, which can be originated from inverse-Compton scattering of solar photons by tens MeV electrons (Ezoe et al. 2009, ApJL). Firm spectral and timing evidences of the solar wind charge exchange emission from Earth's exosphere were found in the direction of the north ecliptic pole (Fujimoto et al. 2007, PASJ). Another Suzaku data exhibited a time variable OVII emission line in the direction of the celestial equator (Ezoe et al. 2007, Suzaku conf.). By combining the X-ray data with the solar wind data, we can constrain the Earth's exospheric hydrogen density and the solar wind distribution around the Earth's magnetosphere. We also conducted a simultaneous observation of Mars with Suzaku and Mars express the solar minimum, to investigate the Martian exosphere using the solar wind charge exchange X-ray emission. In this presentation, we show these results and prospects with Suzaku and the future Astro-H satellite that is the sixth Japanese X-ray observatory planned to be launched in 2014.
- Publication:
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38th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010cosp...38..831E