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J. H. Waite (University of Michigan), R. Elsner (NASA/MSFC), N. Lugaz (University of Michigan), G.R. Gladstone (SwRI), P. Ford (MIT), R. Howell (University of Wymoming)
Jupiter was observed by the Chandra X-ray Observatory in late February, 2003, for 144 ks, using both the ACIS-S and HRC-I imaging x-ray cameras. Five orbits of HST STIS observations of the planet's northern auroral zone were obtained during the ACIS-S observations. Spectra of the x-ray emissions were acquired for the first time. The Ulysses spacecraft also observed quasi-periodic radio burst simultaneous with the other observations.Past flyby obserations by Cassini in the ultraviolet and infrared portions of the spectrum show the formation of enhanced acetylene and aerosols in the same region of the polar cap where the x-rays and Jupiter ultraviolet flares are seen. These data can be interpreted as very energetic sulfur and oxygen ions accelerated to >10 Mev as part of the global auroral return current at high latitudes. We present an interpretation of the process of x-ray formation based on the hyperspectral data set accumulated over the past three years of observing.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 35 #4
© 2003. The American Astronomical Soceity.