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Solar System
Jupiter
Jupiter has an environment capable of producing X-rays in a different manner because of its substantial magnetic field. X-rays are produced when high-energy particles from the Sun get trapped in its magnetic field and accelerated toward the polar regions where they collide with atoms in Jupiter's atmosphere. Chandra's image of Jupiter shows strong concentrations of X-rays near the north and south magnetic poles. The weak equatorial X-ray emission is likely due to reflection of solar X-rays.
Europa, Io and the Io Plasma Torus
Weaker X-ray signals have been detected from two of Jupiter's moons, Io and Europa, and from the Io Plasma Torus, a doughnut-shaped ring of energetic particles that circles Jupiter.
Gases such as sulfur dioxide are produced by Io's volcanos, escape from Io and are trapped in an orbit around Jupiter, where they are accelerated to high energies. Collisions between the particles within the Io Plasma Torus, and with the surfaces of Io and Europa can account for the observed X-rays.
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