Bibcode
Branduardi-Raymont, G.; Bhardwaj, A.; Elsner, R. F.; Gladstone, G. R.; Ramsay, G.; Rodriguez, P.; Soria, R.; Waite, J. H.; Cravens, T. E.
Referencia bibliográfica
American Geophysical Union, Spring Meeting 2005, abstract #P44A-02
Fecha de publicación:
5
2005
Número de citas
0
Número de citas referidas
0
Descripción
We present two XMM-Newton observations of Jupiter, which were carried
out in April and November 2003 for 110 and 250 ks (or 3 and 7 planet
rotations) respectively. X-ray images taken with XMM-Newton EPIC CCD
cameras show prominent emission, essentially all confined to the 0.2 -
2.0 keV band, from Jupiter's auroral spots; their spectra can be
modelled with a combination of unresolved emission lines, including most
prominently those of highly ionised oxygen (OVII and OVIII). Emission
from the equatorial regions of the planet's disk is also observed. Its
spectrum is consistent with that of solar X-rays scattered in the
planet's upper atmosphere. More remarkably, we find that in November
2003 a large solar X-ray flare, taking place on the Sun's Jupiter-facing
side, is associated with a corresponding feature in the Jovian X-ray
lightcurve of the equatorial regions. Jupiter's X-ray emissions are
spectrally resolved with XMM-Newton Reflection Grating Spectrometer
(RGS). The high energy resolution provided by RGS allows us to clearly
separate the OVII and OVIII lines in the spectra, and to identify most
of the auroral emission with the lower ionisation line. The North
auroral spot emission is deeply modulated at the planet's rotation
period. Moreover, the X-ray emission from Jupiter's disk displays
prominent line contribution due to FeXVII, in addition to an OVIII
component. Our temporal and spectral findings suggest that the
non-auroral X-ray emission from Jupiter is directly controlled by the
Sun. On the other hand, the spectral results presented here support the
hypothesis that Jupiter's auroral emissions originate from the capture
and acceleration of solar wind ions in the planet's magnetosphere,
followed by X-ray production by charge exchange.