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March 25, 2026Geophysical Research Letters3 citationsOpen Access

Europa is Embedded in Non‐Maxwellian, Anisotropic Electron Distributions

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SES. P. EllisJSJ. R. SzalayGLG. Livadiotis

Key Points

  • The aim is to analyze and fit electron distributions around Europa using data from the Juno spacecraft.
  • Performed a flyby of Europa with the Juno spacecraft in September 2022.
  • Utilized the Jovian Auroral Distributions Experiment electron analyzers (JADE‐E) for data collection.
  • Fitted observations using anisotropic kappa distributions considering spacecraft potential.
  • Identified non-Maxwellian and anisotropic electron distributions.
  • Found spacecraft potential between −10 V and −18 V, hinting at charged dust grains near Europa.
  • Revealed distinct characteristics in electron beams and surrounding regions, indicating complex magnetospheric interactions.

Abstract

Abstract In September 2022, the Juno spacecraft flew by Europa, providing new insight into the electron pitch angle and energy distributions via the Jovian Auroral Distributions Experiment electron analyzers (JADE‐E). We fit these observations with two anisotropic kappa distributions (cold and hot), accounting for spacecraft potential, which we find to be between −10 V and −18 V, indicating that dust grains near Europa's orbit are similarly charged. We find these distributions to be non‐Maxwellian and often anisotropic, exhibiting substructure with ∼20 km spatial resolution, providing a database of reaction rates near Europa. We further provide constraints on the emission of UV photons from electrons impacts, finding near constant 1,356/1,304 line ratios from , and . The electron beams, wake, and upstream/downstream regions all exhibit distinct characteristics across density, temperature, anisotropy, and thermodynamic , illuminating the complexity of Europa's magnetospheric interaction.

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Cite This Study

Ellis et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69c37be2b34aaaeb1a67eba0https://doi.org/10.1029/2025gl120837
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