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- SM21A-04: Jupiter’s Diffuse Aurora: Species- and Energy-Dependent Precipitation Shaped by Loss Cone Evolution
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NOLA CC
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Domenique Freund, University of Colorado Boulder, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (First Author, Presenting Author)
George Clark, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Lauren Blum, University of Colorado Boulder
This study explores where and how many charged particles, such as electrons, protons, and heavier ions, enter Jupiter’s upper atmosphere, especially in a region known as the diffuse aurora. These particles spiral around the planet’s magnetic field lines and can reach the atmosphere if their motion aligns closely enough with the direction of the field. In such cases, they fall into what is called a “loss cone.” We used a detailed model of Jupiter’s magnetic field, known as JRM33, to understand how the shape and size of these loss cones vary across different regions. We also analyzed data from NASA’s Juno spacecraft to measure how many particles actually reach the atmosphere and compared that to the predicted loss cone areas. We found that the loss cone size changes in a consistent way depending on the location in Jupiter’s magnetic field. This has a strong effect on how much energy different types of particles deposit into specific parts of the atmosphere. These findings help us better understand how Jupiter’s magnetic field drives its auroras.
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