An acceleration mechanism for the generation of the main auroral oval on Jupiter

Abstract

In this paper we argue that the weak turbulence observed in the middle magnetosphere of Jupiter couples with the net electric current system needed to maintain Jupiter's magnetospheric rotation [Hill, 1979, 1980] to create a magnetic field-aligned potential drop sufficient to accelerate magnetospheric electrons to energies required to produce Jupiter's main auroral oval. Based on arguments regarding overall energy within magnetic flux tubes, we estimate a field-aligned potential of ∼100 kV. We also show that the intensity of the turbulent fluctuations maximizes on field lines at equatorial distances between 18 and 30 Jovian radii. These distances correspond to the field lines where the main auroral oval is observed. The electrons accelerated on these field lines carry a total energy of ∼6 TW.