Jupiter high-energy/high-latitude electron environment from Juno’s JEDI and UVS science instrument background noise

Abstract

Spectral modeling combining the Jupiter Energetic-particle Detector Instrument (JEDI) differential flux and simulations of the Ultraviolet Spectrograph (UVS) background noise data were used to obtain the integral electron fluxes for energies of >1 MeV and >6 MeV at points along the Juno spacecraft’s trajectory. These high energy electrons are understood to dominate the Jovian energetic particle environment and their characterization for energies above 1 MeV is a critical aspect of understanding particle acceleration in Giant Planet magnetospheres. The measurements will reduce uncertainties in existing Jovian radiation models, which will enable a reduction in margins when designing future missions to Jupiter. These high energy data will also assist in better understanding the Juno instruments’ responses to the radiation environment and help to avoid misinterpreting radiation contamination as a true signal. Results of the analysis are compared with measurements from Pioneer 11 as well as with predictions using the Galileo Interim Radiation Electron (GIRE3) model.