An Overview of Observations by the Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Investigation at Earth

W. S. Kurth; G. B. Hospodarsky; D. A. Gurnett; M. L. Kaiser; J.-E. Wahlund; A. Roux; P. Canu; P. Zarka; Y. Tokarev

doi:10.1029/2001JA900033

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An Overview of Observations by the Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Investigation at Earth

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An Overview of Observations by the Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Investigation at Earth

W. S. Kurth, G. B. Hospodarsky, D. A. Gurnett, M. L. Kaiser, J.-E. Wahlund, A. Roux, P. Canu, P. Zarka and Y. Tokarev

Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol.106(A12), pp.30239-30252

12/01/2001

DOI: 10.1029/2001JA900033

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Abstract

On August 18, 1999, the Cassini spacecraft flew by Earth at an altitude of 1186 km on its way to Saturn. Although the flyby was performed exclusively to provide the spacecraft with sufficient velocity to get to Saturn, the radio and plasma wave science (RPWS) instrument, along with several others, was operated to gain valuable calibration data and to validate the operation of a number of capabilities. In addition, an opportunity to study the terrestrial radio and plasma wave environment with a highly capable instrument on a swift fly-through of the magnetosphere was afforded by the encounter. This paper provides an overview of the RPWS observations, at Earth, including the identification of a number of magnetospheric plasma wave modes, an accurate measurement of the plasma density over a significant portion of the trajectory using the natural wave spectrum in addition to a relaxation sounder and Langmuir probe, the detection of natural and human-produced radio emissions, and the validation of the capability to measure the wave normal angle and Poynting flux of whistler-mode chorus emissions. The results include the observation of a double-banded structure at closest' approach including a band of Cerenkov emission bounded by electron plasma and upper hybrid frequencies and an electron cyclotron harmonic band just above the second harmonic of the electron cyclotron frequency. In the near-Earth plasma sheet, evidence for electron phase space holes is observed, similar to those first reported by Geotail in the magnetotail. The wave normal analysis confirms the Polar result that chorus is generated very close to the magnetic equator and propagates to higher latitudes. The integrated power flux of auroral kilometric radiation is also used to identify a series of substorms observed during the outbound passage through the magnetotail.

Astrophysics

Details

Title: Subtitle: An Overview of Observations by the Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Investigation at Earth
Creators: W. S. Kurth - Iowa Univ
G. B. Hospodarsky - Iowa Univ
D. A. Gurnett - Iowa Univ
M. L. Kaiser - Goddard Space Flight Center
J.-E. Wahlund - Swedish Institute of Space Physics
A. Roux - Centre d'Etudes des Environnements et Planetaires
P. Canu - Centre d'Etudes des Environnements et Planetaires
P. Zarka - Observatoire de Paris
Y. Tokarev - Radiophysical Research Institute
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol.106(A12), pp.30239-30252
DOI: 10.1029/2001JA900033
ISSN: 0148-0227
eISSN: 2156-2202
Publisher: American Geophysical Union
Language: English
Date published: 12/01/2001
Description audience: PUBLIC
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984455360902771

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