Simultaneous fields and particles observations associated with Jupiter’s auroral zones

The Juno spacecraft’s polar orbits have enabled direct sampling of Jupiter’s high-latitude, low-altitude auroral field lines. Jupiter’s main aurora has been classified into distinct "zones", based on the repeatable characters of energetic electron and proton energy-time and pitch angle-time spectra. These are (i) Zone-I, where downward fluxes of energetic electrons dominate and is associated with the upward current region; (ii) Zone-II, where bidirectional fluxes of energetic electrons dominate and is associated with the downward current region; and (iii) the Diffuse Aurora, where magnetically trapped energetic electrons dominate [Mauk et al., 2020]. Here we combine datasets across all fields
and particles instruments to examine the microphysical plasma processes at play in Jupiter’s auroral zones. Specifically, we aim to: a) establish the role of plasma waves - as generators or consequences - of the unstable auroral particles distributions and identify distinctions between those associated with inverted-Vs and broadband distributions; b) constrain the direction of Poynting fluxes across the auroral zones. We anticipate our study to provide new insights into the microphysical processes sustaining Jupiter’s uniquely powerful aurora.