Prospects of Using Tidal Tomography to Constrain Ganymede's Interior

M. Rovira-Navarro, I. Matsuyama, D. Dirkx, A. Berne, D. Calliess, S. Fayolle

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Juice (JUpiter ICy moons Explorer) 3GM Radio Science Experiment will map the gravitational field of Ganymede with unprecedented accuracy and measure tidally-induced variations. These measurements will allow the characterization of its putative ocean and may resolve lateral variations in internal structure. Lateral variations cause an additional tidal signal that depends on their wavelength and amplitude. We show that shell thickness variations of (Formula presented.) the mean thickness produce an additional tidal signal (Formula presented.) times smaller than the main tidal signal, detectable given the accuracy of Juice. Using a Bayesian framework, we show that measuring differences between (Formula presented.) and (Formula presented.) constrain equator to pole shell thickness differences. Also measuring the degree-3 spherical harmonic signal due to degree 2 forcing constrain degree-1 and degree-3 structure. This demonstrates tidal tomography's potential to map three dimensional structure and supports its consideration for future missions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere2025GL114708
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume52
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 16 2025

Keywords

  • Ganymede
  • Juice
  • planetary interiors
  • tides

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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