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Bar Code Events in the Juno‐UVS Data: Signature ∼10 MeV Electron Microbursts at Jupiter
Author(s) -
Bonfond B.,
Gladstone G. R.,
Grodent D.,
Gérard J.C.,
Greathouse T. K.,
Hue V.,
Kammer J. A.,
Versteeg M. H.,
Davis M. W.,
Becker H. N.,
Radioti A.,
Elliott S. S.,
Imai M.,
Paranicas C. P.,
Bolton S. J.,
Levin S. M.,
Connerney J. E. P.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2018gl080490
Subject(s) - jupiter (rocket family) , physics , electron , jovian , population , bar (unit) , astrophysics , microburst , astronomy , nuclear physics , planet , demography , wind speed , wind shear , space shuttle , sociology , meteorology , saturn
Abstract One of the most intriguing discoveries of Juno is the quasi‐systematic detection of upgoing electrons above the auroral regions. Here we discuss a by‐product of the most energetic component of this population: a contamination resembling bar codes in the Juno‐UVS images. This pattern is likely caused by bursts of ∼10 MeV electrons penetrating the instrument. These events are mostly detected when Juno's magnetic footprint is located poleward of the main emission relative to the magnetic pole. The signal is not periodic, but the bursts are typically 0.1–1 s apart. They are essentially detected when Juno‐UVS is oriented toward Jupiter, indicating that the signal is due to upgoing electrons. The event detections occur between 1 and 7 Jovian radii above the 1‐bar level, suggesting that the electron acceleration takes place close to Jupiter and is thus both strong and brief.