POSSIBLE RADIO-WAVE PRECURSORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMET SHOEMAKER-LEVY-9 JUPITER IMPACTS

We suggest that prior to its impact with Jupiter, comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 will behave as an electrical generator in the Jovian magnetosphere, converting planetary rotational energy to electrical energy via a dus t/plasma interaction. This electrical energy will then be deposited in the dayside auroral region where it may drive various auroral phenome na including cyclotron radio emission. Such emission could be detected by spacecraft like Ulysses and Galileo many hours prior to the actual comet impact with the upper atmosphere. We apply the theory originall y developed to explain the spokes in Saturn's rings. This theory allow s us to quantify the driving potential associated with the comet and, consequently, to determine the radio power created in the auroral regi on. We conclude that if enough fine dust is present in the cometary sy stem, comet-induced auroral radio emissions will reach detectable leve ls. This emission should be observable in the dayside hemisphere about 12-24 hours prior to each fragment impact.