Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Bringing the Visible Universe into Focus with Robo-AO
Published on: February 12, 2013
Comparing Electron Energetics and UV Brightness in Jupiter's Northern Polar Region During Juno Perijove 5
R W Ebert1,2, T K Greathouse1, G Clark3
1Southwest Research Institute San Antonio TX USA.
Abstract:
We compare electron and UV observations mapping to the same location in Jupiter's northern polar region, poleward of the main aurora, during Juno perijove 5. Simultaneous peaks in UV brightness and electron energy flux are identified when observations map to the same location at the same time. The downward energy flux during these simultaneous observations was not sufficient to generate the observed UV brightness; the upward energy flux was. We propose that the primary acceleration region is below Juno's altitude, from which the more intense upward electrons originate. For the complete interval, the UV brightness peaked at ~240 kilorayleigh (kR); the downward and upward energy fluxes peaked at 60 and 700 mW/m2, respectively. Increased downward energy fluxes are associated with increased contributions from tens of keV electrons. These observations provide evidence that bidirectional electron beams with broad energy distributions can produce tens to hundreds of kilorayleigh polar UV emissions.
Related Concept Videos
Ionization Energy
Ultraviolet and Visible (UV–Vis) Spectroscopy: Overview
Energy Diagrams - I
Take the example of a skater on a parabolic ramp. The potential energy at different points along the ramp will be proportional to the height of the ramp, which varies quadratically with the horizontal position on the ramp. As the skater moves down the ramp from the highest position,...
Energy Diagrams - II
The point in the energy diagram at which the system’s potential energy is the lowest is known as the local minima. The system tends to stay in this position indefinitely unless acted upon by a net force. The slope of the potential energy diagram at the local minima is zero, indicating that zero net force is acting on the system. The slope...
UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Molecular Electronic Transitions
Flame Photometry: Lab

