Journal article
A Persistent, Large‐Scale, and Ordered Electrodynamic Connection Between Saturn and Its Main Rings
Geophysical research letters, Vol.46(13), pp.7166-7172
07/16/2019
DOI: 10.1029/2019GL083541
Abstract
Auroral hiss emissions are ubiquitous in planetary magnetospheres, particularly in regions where electric current systems are present. They are generally diagnostic of electrodynamic coupling between conductive bodies, thus making auroral and moon‐connected magnetic field lines prime locations for their detection. However, the role of Saturn's rings as a dynamic conductive body has been elusive and of great interest to the community. Cassini's Grand Finale orbits afforded a unique opportunity to directly sample magnetic field lines connected to the main rings. Here we provide strong evidence for the persistent and organized presence of auroral hiss demonstrably associated with the main rings. This is in contrast to recent observations suggesting that Saturn's rings may be barriers to field‐aligned currents. Our results provide a new view of Saturn's rings as a dynamic system that is in continuous and ordered electrodynamic coupling with the planet.
Key Points
Auroral hiss emissions have been repeatedly detected during Cassini's Grand Finale orbits
Auroral Hiss emissions are demonstrably on magnetic field lines connected to the main rings
Their sources and spatial distribution strongly suggest a large‐scale and ordered current system between Saturn and its rings
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- A Persistent, Large‐Scale, and Ordered Electrodynamic Connection Between Saturn and Its Main Rings
- Creators
- A. H. Sulaiman - University of IowaW. M. Farrell - Goddard Space Flight CenterS.‐Y. Ye - University of IowaW. S. Kurth - University of IowaD. A. Gurnett - University of IowaG. B. Hospodarsky - University of IowaJ. D. Menietti - University of IowaD. Píša - Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Atmospheric PhysicsG. J. Hunt - Imperial College LondonO. Agiwal - Imperial College LondonM. K. Dougherty - Imperial College London
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Geophysical research letters, Vol.46(13), pp.7166-7172
- DOI
- 10.1029/2019GL083541
- ISSN
- 0094-8276
- eISSN
- 1944-8007
- Number of pages
- 7
- Grant note
- Grant Agency of the Czech Republic (17‐08772S) STFC (ST/N000692/1) NASA (1415150)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/16/2019
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984455550002771
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