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Jupiter's UV Auroral Response to a Magnetospheric Compression Event.

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Title: Jupiter's UV Auroral Response to a Magnetospheric Compression Event.
Authors: Giles, R. S.1 (AUTHOR) rohini.giles@swri.org, Greathouse, T. K.1 (AUTHOR), Ebert, R. W.1,2 (AUTHOR), Kurth, W. S.3 (AUTHOR), Louis, C. K.4 (AUTHOR), Vogt, M. F.5 (AUTHOR), Bonfond, B.6 (AUTHOR), Grodent, D.6 (AUTHOR), Gérard, J.‐C.6 (AUTHOR), Gladstone, G. R.1 (AUTHOR), Kammer, J. A.1 (AUTHOR), Hue, V.7 (AUTHOR), Wilson, R. J.8 (AUTHOR), Bolton, S. J.1 (AUTHOR), Connerney, J. E. P.9 (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets. Jun2025, Vol. 130 Issue 6, p1-11. 11p.
Subject Terms: Auroras, Magnetosphere, Elliptical orbits, Dynamic pressure, Magnetopause
Abstract: The highly elliptical polar orbit of the Juno mission provides a unique opportunity to simultaneously measure the compression state of Jupiter's magnetosphere and the total power emitted by the planet's ultraviolet aurora, using a single spacecraft. This allows us to study how Jupiter's aurora respond to a compression event. In this paper, we present a case study of an extreme compression event that occurred on December 6–7 2022 when Juno was a distance of 70 RJ from Jupiter. This extreme compression was accompanied by a very large increase in the ultraviolet auroral emissions to 12 TW, a factor of six higher than the baseline level. This event coincided with the predicted arrival of a powerful interplanetary shock, which was expected to cause the largest increase in the solar wind dynamic pressure seen thus far during the Juno mission. The simultaneous occurrence of the interplanetary shock, the extreme compression and the bright ultraviolet aurora suggests that in this case, the auroral brightening was caused by the solar wind shock compressing the magnetosphere. Plain Language Summary: NASA's Juno mission is able to both measure the power emitted by Jupiter's ultraviolet auroras and to use magnetopause crossings to measure the instantaneous size of Jupiter's magnetosphere. On December 6–7 2022, Jupiter's magnetosphere underwent an extreme compression event and this was accompanied by a large increase in the ultraviolet auroral emissions. This event coincided with a sudden disturbance in the solar wind at Jupiter. The auroral brightening was likely caused by a solar wind shock compressing the magnetosphere. Key Points: The Juno mission allows us to simultaneously compare the compression state of the magnetosphere with the total UV auroral powerOn December 6–7 2022, Jupiter experienced an extreme magnetospheric compression and a significant auroral brightening to 12 TWOn this occasion, the auroral brightening was likely caused by a solar wind shock compressing the magnetosphere [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Abstract:The highly elliptical polar orbit of the Juno mission provides a unique opportunity to simultaneously measure the compression state of Jupiter's magnetosphere and the total power emitted by the planet's ultraviolet aurora, using a single spacecraft. This allows us to study how Jupiter's aurora respond to a compression event. In this paper, we present a case study of an extreme compression event that occurred on December 6–7 2022 when Juno was a distance of 70 RJ from Jupiter. This extreme compression was accompanied by a very large increase in the ultraviolet auroral emissions to 12 TW, a factor of six higher than the baseline level. This event coincided with the predicted arrival of a powerful interplanetary shock, which was expected to cause the largest increase in the solar wind dynamic pressure seen thus far during the Juno mission. The simultaneous occurrence of the interplanetary shock, the extreme compression and the bright ultraviolet aurora suggests that in this case, the auroral brightening was caused by the solar wind shock compressing the magnetosphere. Plain Language Summary: NASA's Juno mission is able to both measure the power emitted by Jupiter's ultraviolet auroras and to use magnetopause crossings to measure the instantaneous size of Jupiter's magnetosphere. On December 6–7 2022, Jupiter's magnetosphere underwent an extreme compression event and this was accompanied by a large increase in the ultraviolet auroral emissions. This event coincided with a sudden disturbance in the solar wind at Jupiter. The auroral brightening was likely caused by a solar wind shock compressing the magnetosphere. Key Points: The Juno mission allows us to simultaneously compare the compression state of the magnetosphere with the total UV auroral powerOn December 6–7 2022, Jupiter experienced an extreme magnetospheric compression and a significant auroral brightening to 12 TWOn this occasion, the auroral brightening was likely caused by a solar wind shock compressing the magnetosphere [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:21699097
DOI:10.1029/2025JE009012