Statistical Analysis of the Equatorward UV Auroral Emissions of the Jovian Southern Hemisphere

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive statistical analysis of Jupiter's southern UV auroral emissions, with a focus on the secondary oval and equatorward injection signatures. Utilizing Hubble Space Telescope (HST) data, the frequency, location, and intensity of these auroral features are systematically evaluated, considering their variation across longitude, local time, and auroral morphological families. The results reveal key insights into the latitudinal and longitudinal distribution of emissions, the temporal variability of auroral structures, and the relationships between the main auroral oval and equatorward features. Notably, the equatorward emissions, often linked to plasma injections, demonstrate a strong dependence on local time, appearing more frequently in the pre‐dusk sector than dawn. Their brightness is also enhanced in the dusk sector, as observed statistically for the Main Emission, but there is no persistent, significant correlation between the intensities of the main and equatorward emissions observed simultaneously, emphasizing their different driving mechanisms.