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Jupiter's poleward (Zone II) main aurora exhibits bi‐directional electron acceleration; upward acceleration dominates but downward acceleration generates strong aurora. During Juno's first perijove (PJ1), the upward acceleration manifested as narrow electron angular beams (within ∼5° of the magnetic field) over the 30–1,200 keV energy range of Juno's Jupiter Energetic Particle Detector Investigation (JEDI). These beams can be simply connected (non‐uniquely) to >10 to perhaps 100's of MeV electrons that penetrated the radiation shielding of the camera head of the Magnetometer Investigation's Advanced Stellar Compass (ASC). The most intense of those multiple MeV populations are shown to have been highly directional and propagating upwards. How auroral processes generate such beams is unknown. With azimuthal symmetry assumed (not demonstrated here), these beams provided >1026 s−1 of >30 keV electrons to Jupiter's vast magnetosphere, a possibly critical and dominating source of energetic electrons to that region and ultimately to Jupiter's radiation belts. Plain Language Summary: Aurora at Earth and Jupiter are generated by electron acceleration processes occurring at relatively low altitude above the polar atmospheric regions emitting the auroral lights. While downward electron acceleration causes the auroral emissions, upward electron acceleration can occur in a fashion that populates the distant planetary space environments (or "magnetospheres"). We find with NASA's Juno spacecraft that upward auroral electron acceleration at Jupiter has unique features. It is often more energetic and powerful than is the downward acceleration. The resulting electron beams are unexpectedly collimated along the magnetic field lines connecting the auroral regions to the spacecraft. The beams can extend in energy to unexpectedly high values, greater than 20 million electron volts (MeV). Finally, the quantity of energetic electrons coming from Jupiter's auroral regions is possibly a major, if not dominate, source of energetic electrons for Jupiter's vast magnetosphere. Key Points: Intense, narrow (±∼5°), 30–1200 keV, upward electron beams were observed over Zone II of Jupiter's main aurora during Juno perijove‐1They can be connected simply (non‐uniquely) to previously reported >10–100 s of MeV electron populations observed over the same regionAssuming symmetry, they provided >1026/s of >30 keV electrons to Jupiter's vast magnetosphere, a possibly critical and dominant source [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic reconnection has been commonly reported between the solar wind IMF and the magnetic field of Earth and other planets. A similar phenomenon is expected between Jupiter's magnetosphere and Ganymede's mini magnetosphere inside the Jovian magnetosphere. This article is the first report of a reconnection event in the tail region of Ganymede. We present compelling evidence that Juno flew in close proximity to an X‐line, that was not within the tail current sheet, but rather in the turbulent wake area of Ganymede. We report the observation of distinctive electron Bernstein mode waves with unique characteristics particular to a separatrix region of the reconnection site. We detect a clear reversal of a magnetic field component. Electron densities and pitch angle distributions also indicate that Juno possibly traversed the inflow, and outflow region surrounding the separatrix region. Finally, from the time sequence of the observations by the different instruments on Juno, we reconstruct a likely trajectory of Juno around the reconnection site. Key Points: Juno passed near a magnetic reconnection X‐line in Ganymede's downstream region on 7 June 2021Juno Waves observations provide a positive indication of being in the reconnection separatrix siteJuno JADE electron measurements show the flux increase and pitch angle distributions expected in a separatrix region [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Juno's highly elliptical polar orbits provide unprecedented in‐situ observations of the electrodynamic interaction between Jupiter and its volcanic moon Io. These observations occur in regions never sampled before both near Io's orbit and near Jupiter's ionosphere and at distances between the two. Magnetic field data obtained during multiple traversals of magnetic field lines mapping to Io's orbit reveal remarkably rich and complex magnetic signatures near flux tubes connected to Io's orbital position. Here we present a methodology to model the distribution of currents along Io's flux tube (IFT) and Alfvén wings in such a way as to match the magnetic field signature observed during Juno's traversals of the IFT and Alfvén wings downstream of Io. We obtain the location, size and morphology of the current‐carrying region as well as the distribution of currents within the IFT and Alfvén wings. The observed field‐aligned currents exhibit strong filamentation, with upward and downward currents splitting into secondary cells rather than forming uniform structures. Additionally, there is a strong correlation between total field‐aligned current intensity, particle energy flux, and Poynting flux, indicating efficient energy transfer and coupling in the Jupiter‐Io system. Using all of Juno's traversals up to perijove (PJ) pass 42, we estimate the strength of the interaction with regards to distance along Io's extended tail, Io's position in the plasma torus and the magnetic field intensity at the footprint in Jupiter's ionosphere, illuminating the interaction of Jovian magnetospheric plasma with Io and setting important constraints in the Io‐Jupiter interaction. Plain Language Summary: This study explores the electrodynamic interaction between Jupiter and its moon Io using data from NASA's Juno spacecraft. Juno's unique polar orbits allow it to gather unprecedented in‐situ observations near Io's orbit and Jupiter's ionosphere. By analyzing magnetic field data collected during Juno's encounters of magnetic field lines connected to Io's orbit, intricate magnetic signatures near Alfvén wings linked to Io are revealed. We develop a method to model the distribution of currents along Io's Alfvén wings and determine the location, size, and morphology of the currents within Io's Alfvén wings. The results presented in this paper provide insights into the strength of the interaction between Io and Jupiter's magnetosphere, shedding light on the dynamics of plasma interactions and providing valuable constraints for understanding the Io‐Jupiter system. Key Points: A new approach in modeling the current distribution in Io's flux tube and Alfvén wings, offers deeper insights into Io‐Jupiter interactionThe strength of the Io‐Jupiter interaction is adequately characterized by a generalized model based on three independent physical parametersAssessing the strength of the interaction across various physical parameters highlights the complexity of the Io‐Jupiter electrical coupling [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jovian magnetodisk plays an essential role in the dynamics of the Jupiter system by coupling its various components. Here, we investigate the Juno (JADE, JEDI, and MAG) observations of the magnetodisk within 20–80 Jupiter radii (RJ ${\mathrm{R}}_{J}$) in the 0–6 hr local time sector. JADE and JEDI data are combined to generate equatorial plane distributions of density, pressure, temperature, and anisotropy of electrons, protons, and heavy ions. Results show: (a) Heavy ions dominate both the number density and pressure. (b) The number density and pressure of all species decrease with radial distance. (c) The temperature increases for electrons and heavy ions and decreases for protons as radial distance increases. (d) On average, the parallel pressure exceeds the perpendicular pressure for all species. Based on these distributions, we explore the equilibrium and dynamics of the magnetodisk and show that: (a) Radial force balance is primarily achieved between the inward magnetic stress and the outward plasma anisotropy force. (b) An examination of the kappa parameters indicates that electrons, protons, and heavy ions primarily undergo adiabatic motion, magnetic moment diffusion, and stochastic motion, respectively. (c) A radial diffusion coefficient is derived from the radial profile of mass, providing an estimate of the timescale for radial transport from 20 to 80 RJ ${\mathrm{R}}_{J}$ of ∼ ${\sim} $ 7 hr (d) The total mass (5.0×107 $5.0\times 1{0}^{7}$ kg) and thermal energy (3.8×1037 $3.8\times 1{0}^{37}$ eV) of the magnetodisk between 20 and 80 RJ ${\mathrm{R}}_{J}$ are obtained. Key Points: Spatial distributions of the Jovian magnetodisk plasma parameters are derived from Juno/JADE+ ${+}$JEDI data during Juno's first 25 orbitsRadial force balance and radial mass transport are discussed based on these distributionsOur results provide constrains to modeling work and serve as a reference for future mission design [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]

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]

On days 2023‐364 and 2024‐034, the Juno spacecraft made close passages of Jupiter's moon Io, at altitudes of about 1,500 km. Data obtained from the first flyby, when the spacecraft was on magnetic field lines connected to both Jupiter and Io, revealed deep flux decreases. In addition, Juno's energetic particle detectors observed tens to hundreds of keV electron and proton beams. Such beams could be generated near Jupiter on field lines associated with Io. The second encounter occurred in the plasma wake and a more modest flux decrease was observed. Furthermore, data from both encounters suggest a spatially extensive decrease in >1 MeV electrons that includes regions inward of Io's orbit. In the immediate vicinity of Io, signatures of absorption likely dominate the data whereas diffusion and wave‐particle interactions are expected to be needed to understand MeV electron data in the wider spatial region around Io. Plain Language Summary: Jupiter's magnetospheric plasma overtakes Io in its orbit. This causes a cavity to be formed over the hemisphere of Io that leads its orbital motion. Within this cavity subtle details of the plasma and energetic charged particle environment can be extracted from the signal, usually dominated by radiation at these distances. Examples include beams traveling in the direction from Jupiter to the moon, with little evidence of reflection at Io. Another major finding of this work is that there is a large region both along Io's orbit and even radially inward of it with a lower level of MeV electron flux. Guided by previous modeling, the most likely candidates for shaping the data are absorption by the moon, wave‐particle interactions that can scatter particles into Jupiter's atmosphere, and diffusion. Key Points: Deep flux decreases over Io and in its immediate wake caused by losses to the moon's surface were observed in Juno JEDI dataJuno JEDI detected narrow field‐aligned beams of electrons and protons directed toward Io's north poleMoon absorption and wave‐particle interactions may explain the loss of >1 MeV electrons that extend both inward and outward of Io's orbit [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]

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 [...]