Evidence for Non‐Monotonic and Broadband Electron Distributions in the Europa Footprint Tail Revealed by Juno In Situ Measurements

Abstract

Abstract We characterize the precipitating electrons accelerated in the Europa‐magnetosphere interaction by analyzing in situ measurements and remote sensing observations recorded during 10 crossings of the flux tubes connected to Europa's auroral footprint tail by Juno. The electron downward energy flux, ranging from 34 to 0.8 mW/m2, exhibits an exponential decay as a function of downtail distance, with an e‐folding factor of 7.4°. Electrons are accelerated at energies between 0.3 and 25 keV, with a characteristic energy that decreases downtail. The electron distributions form non‐monotonic spectra in the near tail (i.e., within an angular separation of less than 4°) that become broadband in the far tail. The size of the interaction region at the equator is estimated to be 4.2 ± 0.9 Europa radii, consistent with previous estimates based on theory and UV observations.