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We report some of the most intense Z‐mode and O‐mode observations obtained by the Juno spacecraft while in orbit about Jupiter in a low to mid‐latitude region near the inner edge of the Io torus. We have been able to estimate the density of the plasma in this region based on the lower frequency cutoff of the observed Z‐mode emission. The results are compatible with the electron density measurements of the Jovian Auroral Distributions Experiment (JADE), on board the Juno spacecraft, if we account for unmeasured cold plasma. Direction‐finding measurements indicate that the Z‐ and O‐mode emission have distinct source regions. We have also used the measured phase space density of the JADE and the Jupiter energetic particle detector instruments to calculate estimated local growth rates of the observed O‐mode and Z‐mode emission assuming a loss cone instability and quasilinear analysis. The results suggest the emissions were observed near, but not within, a source region, and the free energy source is consistent with a loss cone. We have thus carried out the quasilinear wave analysis of the assumed remote Z‐ and O‐mode wave growths. It is shown that the remotely generated waves, propagated through an inhomogeneous medium to the satellite location, may account for the observed wave characteristics. The importance of Z‐mode in accelerating electrons in the inner Jovian magnetosphere makes these new wave mode confirmations at Jupiter of particular interest.
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This content will become publicly available on February 1, 2026
Quasilinear Analysis in the Source Region of Jovian Hectometric Emission Associated With Upward Electron Beams
Abstract Intense upward electron beams were measured by the Juno JADE instrument in the northern hemisphere, low‐latitude auroral zone source region. In this study we report on how these electron beams interact with plasma near and within the Jovian hectometric (HOM) emission (1 MHz 5 MHz) source region. Within the source region large upward loss cones are observed in the northern polar region at radial distances of 2Rj, magnetic latitude of . Intense, narrow electron beams ( 3 keV) are then observed, but within one second wave‐particle scattering is observed, filling the loss cone to energies 50 keV. These energies persist for several seconds before fading, leaving an empty loss cone again. The loss cone provides a free‐energy source for HOM emission resulting from the cyclotron maser instability. We use quasilinear analysis to examine the generation of HOM and the dynamics of wave‐particle interaction of the electron beams with HOM, and the generation via Landau interaction of whistler mode emission. The dynamic spectrum of the HOM emission generated by the loss‐cone electrons as well as that of the low‐frequency whistler‐mode waves generated by the up‐going electron beam can be constructed by quasilinear theory, which compare well with observation. The saturated state of the energetic electron velocity distribution function constructed via quasilinear theory also compare reasonably with observation.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2203321
- PAR ID:
- 10586918
- Publisher / Repository:
- AGU/Wiley
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
- Volume:
- 130
- Issue:
- 2
- ISSN:
- 2169-9380
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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