Astronomers finally uncover 40-year mystery of Jupiter's epic X-ray aurora flares

For 40 years, Jupiter's intense aurora polaris, also known as northern and southern lights, have puzzled astronomers around the world. Now, scientists have finally uncovered the mystery behind the gas giant's epic X-ray flares. 

Using measurements taken by NASA's Juno spacecraft, which is orbiting Jupiter, and data from the European Space Agency's Earth-orbiting XMM-Newton mission, astronomers have been able to view the entire phenomenon from start to finish in a way they never could before.  In a recent study published in the journal Science Advances, researchers detail the process, which includes electrically charged ions, responsible for the X-rays, "surfing" electromagnetic waves in the planet's magnetic field down into its atmosphere.