Spatial and Energy Dependence of Energetic Electron Precipitation Originating From Jupiter's Inner and Middle Magnetosphere

Abstract Energetic electron precipitation transfers trapped magnetospheric energy into Jupiter's atmosphere, yet its contribution beyond the main auroral oval has to be fully quantified. This study statistically investigates the atmospheric energy input from electrons in the 30 keV–1.2 MeV range using in situ measurements from the Juno spacecraft, focusing on particles mapping to ‐shells 2–30 and encompassing the diffuse auroral region. The precipitating energy flux is quantified, dependencies on magnetic local time and System III longitude are examined, and the energy‐dependent structure of the precipitation across the magnetosphere is investigated. The results show that electron precipitation equatorward of the main auroral oval contributes a substantial fraction of Jupiter's atmospheric energy budget when integrated over area, and in some regions is comparable to, or exceeds, estimates of the main auroral power. Magnetic local time and longitudinal dependencies are identified, with the latter linked to hemispheric differences in magnetospheric structure and, ultimately, loss‐cone geometry. Radial variations further reveal systematic, energy‐dependent changes in precipitating electrons as higher latitudes are approached.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research Space Physics
Published
2026-04-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1029/2026ja035205
Primary Topic
Astro and Planetary Science
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Spatial and Energy Dependence of Energetic Electron Precipitation Originating From Jupiter's Inner and Middle Magnetosphere

Lauren W. Blum, Zhi‐Gu Li, Domenique Freund, G. Clark
Journal of Geophysical Research Space Physics
Astro and Planetary Science
article

Spatial and Energy Dependence of Energetic Electron Precipitation Originating From Jupiter's Inner and Middle Magnetosphere

Lauren W. Blum, Zhi‐Gu Li, Domenique Freund, G. Clark
article en

Abstract

Abstract Energetic electron precipitation transfers trapped magnetospheric energy into Jupiter's atmosphere, yet its contribution beyond the main auroral oval has to be fully quantified. This study statistically investigates the atmospheric energy input from electrons in the 30 keV–1.2 MeV range using in situ measurements from the Juno spacecraft, focusing on particles mapping to ‐shells 2–30 and encompassing the diffuse auroral region. The precipitating energy flux is quantified, dependencies on magnetic local time and System III longitude are examined, and the energy‐dependent structure of the precipitation across the magnetosphere is investigated. The results show that electron precipitation equatorward of the main auroral oval contributes a substantial fraction of Jupiter's atmospheric energy budget when integrated over area, and in some regions is comparable to, or exceeds, estimates of the main auroral power. Magnetic local time and longitudinal dependencies are identified, with the latter linked to hemispheric differences in magnetospheric structure and, ultimately, loss‐cone geometry. Radial variations further reveal systematic, energy‐dependent changes in precipitating electrons as higher latitudes are approached.

Journal of Geophysical Research Space PhysicsVol. 131(4)
University of Michigan (US), Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (US), Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (US)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 18%
Astro and Planetary Science
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Spatial and Energy Dependence of Energetic Electron Precipitation Originating From Jupiter's Inner and Middle Magnetosphere — Lauren W. Blum, Zhi‐Gu Li, et al. · Journal of Geophysical Research Space Physics (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS