Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Auroral emissions play a critical role in coupling the magnetosphere and atmosphere at magnetized planets. At Jupiter, isolated auroral patches equatorward of the main auroral oval have been associated with magnetospheric injections, yet the key conditions driving these emissions remain unclear. Here we combine in situ particle and wave measurements and remote-sensing auroral observations from Juno to uncover the origins of Jupiter’s patchy aurora. By examining both low-altitude and equatorial crossings, our results reveal that not all injections lead to auroral enhancements. Instead, auroral patches arise directly from electron precipitation driven by wave-particle interactions, while injections play a supportive role in facilitating wave growth and electron precipitation. These findings highlight the central role of plasma waves in auroral generation and in coupling Jupiter’s magnetosphere and ionosphere, providing broader implications for wave-driven auroral processes across planetary magnetospheres. At Jupiter, isolated auroral patches have long been linked to particle injections from the magnetosphere. Here, the authors show that plasma waves can also scatter electrons into the atmosphere, triggering precipitation and producing aurora.
Source: Nature Communications
Institutions: Boston University, University of California, Los Angeles, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille Université, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Southwest Research Institute, The University of Texas at San Antonio, University of Iowa
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
Awards: G3004847436, G357746284, GEM: Comparative Assessment of Energetic Electron Precipitation Driven by Whistler-mode Waves at Earth and Jupiter, G3841908111, G5940789850, GEM: Responses of Waves, Particles, and Precipitation to Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure Impulsive Changes, G6417682777, G6460652617, G6719959315, GEM: Suprathermal and Energetic Ion Heating by Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves and Magnetosonic Waves in the Inner Magnetosphere, G8529086993
OpenAlex ID: W7147173062