Abstract
While Jupiter’s gravity strongly binds the neutral atmosphere to the
planet, energization in the auroral region can lead to field-aligned
upward transport and escape of electrons and ions. This field-aligned
transport mechanism provides a way for heavier ions like H2+ and H3+ to
enter Jupiter’s magnetosphere. Formation of H3+ from H2+ occurs quickly
in the collisional ionosphere, so rapid field-aligned transport of H2+
is the most likely mechanism for H2+ ions present in Jupiter’s
high-latitude ionosphere and magnetosphere. We model these processes
using the PWOM model for ionospheric field-aligned transport and J-GITM
providing the neutral atmosphere and lower ionospheric boundary. The
ionosphere is formed and heated by a combination of solar EUV flux and
electorn precipitaiton. The effects of energization from electron
precipitation and resonant wave heating are also accounted for. We show
the energy input that is needed to produce ion escape in both the fluid
and kinetic regimes, and we show the formation of ion conics in the
kinetic PWOM model. We discuss what observations from JUNO are needed to
allow us to constrain and test our model results.