Can magnetic fields be generated in the icy mantles of Uranus and Neptune? |
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Authors: | R. Smoluchowski M. Torbett |
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Affiliation: | Department of Astronomy and Physics, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712, USA |
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Abstract: | It has been shown by us previously that a hydromagnetic dynamo can operate in the core of Uranus but probably not on Neptune. A similar analysis is made for the “icy” liquid mantles of both planets. It is concluded that pressure ionization and the associated increased conductivity of water is probably not enough to satisfy the necessary conditions for a dynamo on Uranus and that it is marginal for Neptune. On the other hand the expected presence of metallic water in a thick layer around the core of Neptune makes the operation of a dynamo on this planet plausible. A similar layer on Uranus might be too thin to play the same role. It appears that if a magnetic field is indeed present on Uranus it is probably generated in the core of the planet, while on Neptune it is more likely operating in the icy mantle. |
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