FUV spectroscopy of the H_2 emission in the Jovian aurora: model update and results

The Jovian aurora exhibits bright emissions mainly due the bright Lyman-alpha line and to radiation from excited singlet states to the ground electronic state extending from 800 to 1600 Angstroms. Above 1200 Angstroms, the molecular spectrum is dominated by the Lyman (B-X) bands and continuum and the Werner (C-X) bands. These transitions have been observed with the Goddard High Resolution Spectrometer (GHRS) and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrometer (STIS) at various spectral and spatial resolutions. To analyze these spectra, a model synthetic auroral spectrum has been constructed and applied to the analysis of the ro-vibrational temperature of H_2 and a search for non-H_2 emission features. It has been recently updated to include the latest singlet state excitation and cascading cross sections, self-absorption in optically thick lines and to account for the energy distribution of the secondary electrons which cause additional excitation. We illustrate these effects in a few study cases and apply the model to high resolution (0.5 Angstroms) GHRS spectra and low resolution STIS spectra of the entire H_2 spectrum at wavelengths longer than Lyman-alpha. We determine the methane column overlying the auroral emission peak and find that a better fit is obtained with additional absorption by acetylene.