TY - JOUR

T1 - Identifying the Variety of Jovian X-Ray Auroral Structures

T2 - Tying the Morphology of X-Ray Emissions to Associated Magnetospheric Dynamics

AU - Weigt, Dale M.

AU - Jackman, C. M.

AU - Moral Pombo, D.

AU - Badman, S. V.

AU - Louis, C. K.

AU - Dunn, W. R.

AU - McEntee, S. C.

AU - Branduardi-Raymont, G.

AU - Grodent, D.

AU - Vogt, M. F.

AU - Tao, C.

AU - Gladstone, G. R.

AU - Kraft, R. P.

AU - Kurth, W. S.

AU - Connerney, J. E. P.

PY - 2023/11/2

Y1 - 2023/11/2

N2 - Abstract We define the spatial clustering of X-rays within Jupiter's northern auroral regions by classifying their distributions into ?X-ray auroral structures.? Using data from Chandra during Juno's main mission observations (24 May 2016 to 8 September 2019), we define five X-ray structures based on their ionospheric location and calculate the distribution of auroral photons. The morphology and ionospheric location of these structures allow us to explore the possibility of numerous X-ray auroral magnetospheric drivers. We compare these distributions to Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and Juno (Waves and MAG) data, and a 1D solar wind propagation model to infer the state of Jupiter's magnetosphere. Our results suggest that the five sub-classes of ?X-ray structures? fall under two broad morphologies: fully polar and low latitude emissions. Visibility modeling of each structure suggests the non-uniformity of the photon distributions across the Chandra intervals are likely associated with the switching on/off of magnetospheric drivers as opposed to geometrical effects. The combination of ultraviolet (UV) and X-ray morphological structures is a powerful tool to elucidate the behavior of both electrons and ions and their link to solar wind/magnetospheric conditions in the absence of an upstream solar monitor. Although much work is still needed to progress the use of X-ray morphology as a diagnostic tool, we set the foundations for future studies to continue this vital research.

AB - Abstract We define the spatial clustering of X-rays within Jupiter's northern auroral regions by classifying their distributions into ?X-ray auroral structures.? Using data from Chandra during Juno's main mission observations (24 May 2016 to 8 September 2019), we define five X-ray structures based on their ionospheric location and calculate the distribution of auroral photons. The morphology and ionospheric location of these structures allow us to explore the possibility of numerous X-ray auroral magnetospheric drivers. We compare these distributions to Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and Juno (Waves and MAG) data, and a 1D solar wind propagation model to infer the state of Jupiter's magnetosphere. Our results suggest that the five sub-classes of ?X-ray structures? fall under two broad morphologies: fully polar and low latitude emissions. Visibility modeling of each structure suggests the non-uniformity of the photon distributions across the Chandra intervals are likely associated with the switching on/off of magnetospheric drivers as opposed to geometrical effects. The combination of ultraviolet (UV) and X-ray morphological structures is a powerful tool to elucidate the behavior of both electrons and ions and their link to solar wind/magnetospheric conditions in the absence of an upstream solar monitor. Although much work is still needed to progress the use of X-ray morphology as a diagnostic tool, we set the foundations for future studies to continue this vital research.

KW - Jupiter

KW - X-ray aurora

KW - magnetosphere

KW - ultraviolet aurora

KW - magnetospheric dynamics

U2 - 10.1029/2023JA031656

DO - 10.1029/2023JA031656

M3 - Journal article

VL - 128

JO - Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics

JF - Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics

SN - 2169-9380

IS - 11

M1 - e2023JA031656

ER -