Search

Interchange instability is known to drive fast radial transport of electrons and ions in Jupiter's inner and middle magnetosphere. In this study, we conduct a statistical survey to evaluate the properties of energetic particles and plasma waves during interchange events using Juno data from 2016 to 2023. We present representative examples of interchange events followed by a statistical analysis of the spatial distribution, duration and spatial extent. Our survey indicates that interchange instability is predominant at M‐shells from 6 to 26, peaking near 17 with an average duration of minutes and a corresponding M‐shell width of <∼0.05. During interchange events, the associated plasma waves, such as whistler‐mode, Z‐mode, and electron cyclotron harmonic waves exhibit a distinct preferential location. These findings provide valuable insights into particle transport and the source region of plasma waves in the Jovian magnetosphere, as well as in other magnetized planets within and beyond our solar system. Plain Language Summary: The radial transport of plasma around a magnetized planet is crucial for understanding the underlying magnetospheric dynamics. Jupiter's magnetospheric dynamics are primarily dominated by the rapid rotation and plasma source from Io. This rapid rotation drives the interchange instability, where hot, low‐density plasma is moved toward the inner magnetosphere. During this process, the inward moving flux tube builds up magnetic pressure, potentially leading to the trapping of particles alongside plasma waves. In this study, we present several typical examples of interchange events, and conduct a statistical analysis to explore their spatial distribution, duration and spatial extent, as well as the typical features of the associated plasma waves. This survey provides insights into mass transport, the source of these plasma waves in Jupiter's magnetosphere, with potential implications for other magnetized planets within and beyond our solar system. Key Points: Our statistical survey indicates that interchange events occur over L (or M)‐shells ∼6–26 at Jupiter with a peak occurrence rate at M ∼ 17During interchange events, various types of plasma waves are intensified, each exhibiting a distinct preferential locationThe duration and the corresponding spatial extent of interchange events are analyzed for multiple events [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Juno conducted two close Io flybys on 30 December 2023 and 03 February 2024, both at a minimum altitude of 1,500 km. Filamentary structures in the electric and magnetic field spectra indicate Juno crossed the Alfvén wing, the magnetic structure connecting Io to Jupiter's polar ionosphere. We show that the first pass took Juno diametrically through the northern Alfvén wing, while the second pass had Juno graze the southern Alfvén wing boundary, enabling extended measurements of the transition region between Io's vicinity and the Jovian magnetosphere. Of note, evidence of local electron beams is inferred from whistler‐mode emissions. We demonstrate that their energies are sub‐keV, are sourced from Io's ionosphere or local torus, and are part of a distributed current system connecting Io to Jupiter. Finally, upper hybrid resonances indicate electron densities are significantly elevated in Io's polar region (∼28,000 cm−3) compared to the local Io torus (∼2,000 cm−3). Plain Language Summary: Juno conducted two close Io flybys. Signatures in the electromagnetic field indicate that Juno sampled the region dominated by the electrodynamic interaction between Io and Jupiter. Powerful electric currents flow within this region that deliver energetic electrons into Jupiter's polar atmosphere, resulting in the Io auroral footprint. Juno also spent an extended period along the boundary of this region, providing an in situ view of the complexity of this region's structure. Local density measurements indicate significantly elevated densities in Io's poles. Key Points: Juno plasma wave observations are consistent with Alfvén wing crossings during close Io flybysWhistler‐mode radiation indicate the presence of sub‐keV electron beams operating just outside the Alfvén wingElectron densities are significantly elevated in Io's polar region [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Juno performed two close flybys of Io and found enhanced field‐aligned proton fluxes are absorbed by Io. These protons are absorbed at mass input rates comparable to previous estimates for hydrogen losses from Io, hence Jupiter is likely the source of hydrogen at Io. The conditions necessary for this to occur are: (a) formation of Alfvén waves at Io, (b) wave‐particle coupling to energize protons, (c) anti‐planetward transport of ions due to the magnetic mirror force and/or parallel acceleration, and (d) strong sub‐Alfvénic interaction slowing the flow connected to Io's fluxtube allowing for sufficient travel time for energized ions to transit to Io. The derived slowdown of ≤12% the upstream value is linked to filamentation within the Alfvén wing. This mechanism is likely operating at all strongly interacting satellites and provides an avenue to transfer material from a planetary body to its satellites, including exoplanets and brown dwarfs. Plain Language Summary: Juno performed two close flybys of Jupiter's moon Io, where it observed highly directional charged hydrogen streaming along magnetic field lines. These protons hit Io and the overall influx of them is sufficient to account for previously observed proton losses from Io. Therefore, Io's protons are not from Io's interior and instead provided from Jupiter and its charged particle environment. Furthermore, the observations allow for an estimation of the speed at which plasma flows across Io, which is found to be reduced to ≤12% of the flow speed upstream from Io. These processes are likely operating at similarly interacting bodies throughout our solar system and other solar systems far from the Sun. Key Points: Io's Alfvénic interaction provides a mechanism to transport ∼10's g s−1 of Jovian hydrogen ions to Io's polesThis mechanism is a universal process that can operate at any satellite‐planet system with adequate interaction conditionsPlasma flow within Io's Alfvén wing is slowed to ≤12% of its upstream value, allowing for filamentation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We survey crossings of Jupiter's dawn magnetopause during the Juno prime mission to identify and characterize Jupiter's magnetopause boundary layer. Using plasma and magnetic field observations from Jovian Auroral Distributions Experiment and Juno Magnetic Field investigation, we identify 53 boundary layer events from the 62 magnetopause crossings studied here. We find that the boundary layer generally exhibits mixed properties of magnetosheath and magnetosphere electron distributions, including lower characteristic electron energies and denser ion populations than in the magnetosphere, but higher characteristic electron energies and less dense ion populations than in the magnetosheath. Boundary layer proton speeds are on average slower than both the magnetosheath and magnetosphere. Other proton parameters in the boundary layer have intermediate values between the magnetosheath and magnetosphere. Through ion composition analysis in regions adjacent to the magnetopause, we find evidence of solar wind and magnetospheric plasma in the boundary layer that suggests plasma is transported across the magnetopause in both directions. This mass and energy transport may be the result of solar wind interactions such as magnetic reconnection and Kelvin‐Helmholtz instabilities. However, many boundary layer events do not exhibit local signatures of these solar wind interactions and plasma may be transported by a non‐local process or diffusively transported. Plain Language Summary: Jupiter has the strongest planetary magnetic field in the solar system and over one metric ton per second of sulfur and oxygen is ejected via volcanic activity on the moon, Io. These two factors inflate Jupiter's magnetosphere as material from Io slowly travels outward from Jupiter to near the magnetopause, the boundary between the magnetosphere and magnetosheath. Jupiter's magnetopause boundary layer is located between its outer magnetosphere and surrounding magnetosheath. The magnetosheath is a region of primarily solar wind plasma between the bow shock and the magnetopause and is draped over the magnetosphere. We find that the dawnside boundary layer that separates the magnetosphere and the magnetosheath is comprised of plasma from both regions and travels across this region due to a variety of physical processes. Additionally, we find solar wind plasma in the magnetosphere and plasma from Io in the magnetosheath. This result implies that plasma travels across the boundary layer in both directions. Lastly, our survey shows the plasma in the dawnside boundary layer moves in the opposite direction of Jupiter's rotation, contrary to the plasma located closer to Jupiter. Key Points: The primary characteristic of Jupiter's magnetopause boundary layer is a dual distribution of magnetosphere and magnetosheath electronsIon composition in the boundary layer and adjacent regions show that plasma is transported across the magnetopause in both directionsIon flow speeds in Jupiter's dawn flank magnetopause boundary layer are hundreds of km/s tailward, opposite to corotation on the dawnside [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnetospheric cusp connects the planetary magnetic field to interplanetary space, offering opportunities for charged particles to precipitate to or escape from the planet. Terrestrial cusps are typically found near noon local time, but the characteristics of the Jovian cusp are unknown. Here we show direct evidence of Jovian cusps using datasets from multiple instruments onboard Juno spacecraft. We find that the cusps of Jupiter are in the dusk sector, which is contradicting Earth-based predictions of a near-noon location. Nevertheless, the characteristics of charged particles in the Jovian cusps resemble terrestrial and Saturnian cusps, implying similar cusp microphysics exist across different planets. These results demonstrate that while the basic physical processes may operate similarly to those at Earth, Jupiter's rapid rotation and its location in the heliosphere can dramatically change the configuration of the cusp. This work provides useful insights into the fundamental consequences of star-planet interactions, highlighting how planetary environments and rotational dynamics influence magnetospheric structures. Jovian cusps are not well-known due to limited observations. Here, the authors show that the characteristics of charged particles in the Jovian cusps are similar to those of the Earth and Saturn cusps, and Jupiter's polar cusp is located in the dusk-side sector, contradicting Earth-based predictions of a near-noon location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jupiter's moon Europa contains a subsurface ocean whose presence is inferred from magnetic field measurements, the interpretation of which depends on knowledge of Europa's local plasma environment. A recent Juno spacecraft flyby returned new observations of plasma electrons with unprecedented resolution. Specifically, powerful magnetic field‐aligned electron beams were discovered near Europa. These beams, with energies from ∼30 to ∼300 eV, locally enhance electron‐impact‐excited emissions and ionization in Europa's atmosphere by more than a factor three over the local space environment, and are associated with large jumps of the magnetic fields. The beams therefore play an essential role in shaping Europa's plasma and magnetic field environment and thus need to be accounted for electromagnetic sounding of Europa's ocean and plume detection by future missions such as JUICE and Europa Clipper. Plain Language Summary: A recent Juno spacecraft close flyby of Jupiter's moon Europa revealed the presence of powerful electrons beams. Based on previous observations and modeling of electron beams at the moon Io, such beams were not expected to be observed so close to Europa. Overall, the proximity of the beams to Europa indicates that the acceleration of these electrons takes place much closer to Europa than anticipated and that these beams, therefore, stem from a new and previously unknown acceleration mechanism. The beams are predicted to have an outsized influence on the ionization of the constituents of Europa's tenuous atmosphere and are accompanied with large magnetic field perturbations. Hence, these electron beams are an important ionization source that modify the moon's ionosphere, the electric current systems, and the magnetic field environment. In particular, the presence of electron beams will affect plasma conditions that are used to infer the extent of a subsurface ocean via the magnetic induction signal. These beams significantly impact the space plasma environment around Europa which needs to be accounted for by future missions such as ESA's (European Space Agency) JUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer) and NASA's (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Europa Clipper mission. Key Points: Powerful electron beams that significantly shape Europa's space environment are discovered during a Juno flybyThe beams enhance electron‐impact‐excited emissions in Europa's atmosphere and are associated with large jumps of the magnetic fieldsThe beams' proximity to Europa and their pitch angle distribution constrain the source acceleration to be near or within the plasma disk [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energetic particle injections are commonly observed in Jupiter's magnetosphere and have important impacts on the radiation belts. We evaluate the roles of electron injections in the dynamics of whistler‐mode waves and relativistic electrons using Juno measurements and wave‐particle interaction modeling. The Juno spacecraft observed injected electron flux bursts at energies up to 300 keV at M shell ∼11 near the magnetic equator during perijove‐31. The electron injections are related to chorus wave bursts at 0.05–0.5 fce frequencies, where fce is the electron gyrofrequency. The electron pitch angle distributions are anisotropic, peaking near 90° pitch angle, and the fluxes are high during injections. We calculate the whistler‐mode wave growth rates using the observed electron distributions and linear theory. The frequency spectrum of the wave growth rate is consistent with that of the observed chorus magnetic intensity, suggesting that the observed electron injections provide free energy to generate whistler‐mode chorus waves. We further use quasilinear theory to model the impacts of chorus waves on 0.1–10 MeV electrons. Our modeling shows that the chorus waves could cause the pitch angle scattering loss of electrons at <1 MeV energies and accelerate relativistic electrons at multiple MeV energies in Jupiter's outer radiation belt. The electron injections also provide an important seed population at several hundred keV energies to support the acceleration to higher energies. Our wave‐particle interaction modeling demonstrates the energy flow from the electron injections to the relativistic electron population through the medium of whistler‐mode waves in Jupiter's outer radiation belt. Key Points: Chorus wave generation due to electron injections is demonstrated by their correlative occurrence and wave instability analysisWhistler‐mode waves scatter electrons into the loss cone and cause diffuse auroral precipitation with intensities of 60–160 erg/cm2/sChorus waves cause local acceleration of MeV electrons in several days, further aided by the seed electron population from injections [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The micro Advanced Stellar Compass is an attitude reference for the MAG investigation onboard Juno. The μASC camera head unit images the star field with a CCD that is also sensitive to particles with enough energy to pass through the camera shielding: >15 MeV electrons and >80 MeV protons. This provides the capability to monitor fluxes of high‐energy particles in Jupiter's magnetosphere. A survey of energetic electron fluxes sampled during the first 47 Juno orbits reveals instances of variations observed when Juno is traversing the M‐shell of the Galilean moons. Juno's traversal of the Europa M‐shell often results in distinctly particle signatures. We present the μASC observations of increased electron flux during the crossing of Europa's plasma wake, and depletion of energetic electron flux on the upstream side. The upstream/downstream differences indicate that the wake environment of Europa drives strong pitch angle scattering on relativistic electrons. Plain Language Summary: The attitude reference (μASC) used for the MAG investigation onboard Juno is also sensitive to particles with enough energy to pass through the camera shielding. This provides the capability to monitor fluxes of high‐energy particles in Jupiter's magnetosphere, as the Juno has done since orbit insertion. A μASC survey of electron fluxes reveals instances of variations observed when Juno is traversing the M‐shell of Jupiter's moon Europa. We present particle signatures related to the interaction with Europa and discuss the implications. Key Points: Europa's wake affects the high‐energy electron driftshell by scattering electrons into the loss‐coneIncrease in e− flux is around x2.3 at distances ∼30 RE, and is gradually dissolved as far as 20° downstreamEuropa will stop the energetic electron drift shells and will be mostly free from hard radiation on the leading side [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whistler‐mode and Z‐mode waves may have significant impact on electron scattering and acceleration at Jupiter as recent stochastic models indicate. New observations of these waves in the Juno extended mission expand the orbital coverage from previous surveys, extending especially to smaller radial distances near the magnetic equator, and to extended ranges of dusk‐side magnetic local time. M‐shells transiting the Io torus and the orbit of Europa are recognized as a significant source region for whistler‐mode lower and upper band chorus emission with intensity peaks near 9 RJ. Ganymede is a significant source of intense whistler‐mode chorus confined to the local moon environment. New Z‐mode observations now extend from a few kHz to over 80 kHz. Inferred source regions for Z‐mode are consistent with the outer edge of the Io torus and with auroral field lines that may also support broadband kilometric or decametric emission. Key Points: Whistler‐mode lower and upper band chorus intensities are surveyed in the extended Juno mission, increasing orbital coverageZ‐mode intensity distributions are re‐analyzed with improved plasma density evaluationsMixed Z‐mode, O‐mode, and W‐mode emission challenges discrete mode identification [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Author(s): Y. Kaspi (corresponding author) [1]; E. Galanti [1]; W. B. Hubbard [2]; D. J. Stevenson [3]; S. J. Bolton [4]; L. Iess [5]; T. Guillot [6]; J. Bloxham [7]; [...]

Author(s): T. Guillot (corresponding author) [1]; Y. Miguel [1, 2]; B. Militzer [3]; W. B. Hubbard [4]; Y. Kaspi [5]; E. Galanti [5]; H. Cao [6, 7]; R. Helled [8]; [...]

Author(s): A. Adriani (corresponding author) [1]; A. Mura [1]; G. Orton [2]; C. Hansen [3]; F. Altieri [1]; M. L. Moriconi [4]; J. Rogers [5]; G. Eichstdt [6]; T. Momary [...]

Author(s): B. H. Mauk (corresponding author) [1]; D. K. Haggerty [1]; C. Paranicas [1]; G. Clark [1]; P. Kollmann [1]; A. M. Rymer [1]; S. J. Bolton [2]; S. M. [...]