Juno-UVS approach observations of Jupiter's auroras

G. R. Gladstone, M. H. Versteeg, T. K. Greathouse, V. Hue, M. W. Davis, J. C. Gérard, D. C. Grodent, B. Bonfond, J. D. Nichols, R. J. Wilson, G. B. Hospodarsky, S. J. Bolton, S. M. Levin, J. E.P. Connerney, A. Adriani, W. S. Kurth, B. H. Mauk, P. Valek, D. J. McComas, G. S. OrtonF. Bagenal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Juno ultraviolet spectrograph (UVS) observations of Jupiter's aurora obtained during approach are presented. Prior to the bow shock crossing on 24 June 2016, the Juno approach provided a rare opportunity to correlate local solar wind conditions with Jovian auroral emissions. Some of Jupiter's auroral emissions are expected to be controlled or modified by local solar wind conditions. Here we compare synoptic Juno-UVS observations of Jupiter's auroral emissions, acquired during 3–29 June 2016, with in situ solar wind observations, and related Jupiter observations from Earth. Four large auroral brightening events are evident in the synoptic data, in which the total emitted auroral power increases by a factor of 3–4 for a few hours. Only one of these brightening events correlates well with large transient increases in solar wind ram pressure. The brightening events which are not associated with the solar wind generally have a risetime of ~2 h and a decay time of ~5 h.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)7668-7675
Number of pages8
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume44
Issue number15
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 16 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Geophysics
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

Keywords

  • Juno
  • Jupiter
  • aurora

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Juno-UVS approach observations of Jupiter's auroras'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this