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Alfvénic Fluctuations Associated With Jupiter's Auroral Emissions

Authors :
Stavros Kotsiaros
Yasmina M. Martos
Gina A. DiBraccio
Scott Bolton
Vincent Hue
Daniel J. Gershman
Steve Levin
A. F. Vinas
John E. P. Connerney
George Clark
Fran Bagenal
Source :
Geophysical Research Letters. 46:7157-7165
Publication Year :
2019
Publisher :
American Geophysical Union (AGU), 2019.

Abstract

The Alfven wave mode transmits field‐aligned currents and large‐scale turbulence throughout Jupiter's magnetosphere. Magnetometer data from the Juno spacecraft have provided the first observations of Alfvenic fluctuations along the polar magnetic flux tubes connected to Jupiter's main auroral oval and the Jovian satellites. Transverse magnetic field perturbations associated with Io are observed up to ~90° away from main Io footprint, supporting the presence of extended Alfvenic wave activity throughout the Io footprint tail. Additional broadband fluctuations measured equatorward of the statistical auroral oval are composed of incompressible magnetic turbulence that maps to Jupiter's equatorial plasma sheet at radial distances within ~20 R(sub J). These fluctuations exhibit a k(sub ||) power spectrum consistent with strong magnetohydrodynamic turbulence. This turbulence can generate up to ~100 mW/m(exp 2) of Poynting flux to power the Jovian aurora in regions connected to the inner magnetosphere's central plasma sheet.

Details

ISSN :
19448007 and 00948276
Volume :
46
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Geophysical Research Letters
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........d1017f2c94810e77a1aeb5f7cf2789e6