Ion Cyclotron Waves Associated With Ionospheric Outflow at Jupiter

E. A Skinner; A. H Sulaiman; J. R Szalay; N. S Kruegler; R. L Lysak; Y Sarkango; W. S Kurth; G Clark; S. J Bolton

doi:10.1029/2026GL121914

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Ion Cyclotron Waves Associated With Ionospheric Outflow at Jupiter

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Ion Cyclotron Waves Associated With Ionospheric Outflow at Jupiter

E. A Skinner, A. H Sulaiman, J. R Szalay, N. S Kruegler, R. L Lysak, Y Sarkango, W. S Kurth, G Clark and S. J Bolton

Geophysical research letters, Vol.53(10), e2026GL121914

05/28/2026

DOI: 10.1029/2026GL121914

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Abstract

The mechanism driving ion outflow from Jupiter's auroras remains to be determined. H+${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$outflow has been observed with highly field‐aligned pitch angles consistent with acceleration by high‐altitude electrostatic potential structures. However, the cold ionospheric ions require a pre‐acceleration mechanism to reach Jupiter's large escape speed and access the potential structures. Here we present case studies of H+${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$outflow coincident with intense H+${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ion cyclotron waves (ICWs). We invoke resonant wave heating to suggest a causality between the two phenomena. We further investigate Landau resonance with auroral electron beams as a plausible source of free energy using cold plasma theory, finding that electron energies between 10 and 100 keV produce results consistent with ICW observations. H2+${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{+}$and H3+${\mathrm{H}}_{3}^{+}$ICWs are likewise present, which we suggest indicates that Jovian ion outflow is a multi‐species process.

Auroras

Ionosphere

Acceleration

Antennas

Cold plasmas

Electric fields

Electron beams

Electrostatic properties

Energy

Free energy

Hydrogen

Ion cyclotron waves

Ionospheric ions

Jupiter

Magnetic fields

Outflow

Pitch (inclination)

Plasma

Spacecraft

Details

Title: Subtitle: Ion Cyclotron Waves Associated With Ionospheric Outflow at Jupiter
Creators: E. A Skinner - University of Minnesota
A. H Sulaiman - University of Minnesota
J. R Szalay - Princeton University
N. S Kruegler - University of Minnesota
R. L Lysak - University of Minnesota
Y Sarkango - University of Minnesota
W. S Kurth - University of Iowa
G Clark - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
S. J Bolton - Southwest Research Institute
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Geophysical research letters, Vol.53(10), e2026GL121914
DOI: 10.1029/2026GL121914
ISSN: 0094-8276
eISSN: 1944-8007
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc
Grant note: National Aeronautics and Space Administration: S99022AKP, 80NSSC26K0344, 80NSSC24K1837, 699041X Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust
The research at the University of Minnesota is partly supported by NASA through contract S99022AKP with the Southwest Research Institute. AHS and EAS acknowledge NASA Grant 80NSSC26K0344. AHS and NSK acknowledge NASA Grant 80NSSC24K1837. The research at the University of Iowa is supported by NASA through Contract 699041X with the Southwest Research Institute. WSK acknowledges the use of the Space Physics Data Repository at the University of Iowa supported by the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust.
Language: English
Date published: 05/28/2026
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9985164605902771

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