Abstract Probe measurements of plasma fluctuations in the divertor region of ASDEX Upgrade reveal the existence of two quiescent regions close to the separatrix: one on the low field side scrape-off layer and one on the high field side of the private flux region. The X-point manipulator at ASDEX Upgrade provides the unique possibility of obtaining continuous measurements of the ion-saturation current from the low field side scrape-off layer through the private flux region and into the high field side scrape-off layer.