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Statistical Study on Spatial Distribution and Polarization of Saturn Narrowband Emissions
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Statistical Study on Spatial Distribution and Polarization of Saturn Narrowband Emissions

Siyuan Wu, Shengyi Ye, Georg Fischer, Jian Wang, Minyi Long, John D. Menietti, Baptiste Cecconi and William S. Kurth
The Astrophysical journal, Vol.918(2), p.64
09/01/2021
DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/ac0af1
url
https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ac0af1View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

The spatial distribution and polarization of Saturn narrowband (NB) emissions have been studied by using Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Sciences data and goniopolarimetric data obtained through an inversion algorithm with a preset source located at the center of Saturn. From 2004 January 1 to 2017 September 12, NB emissions were selected automatically by a computer program and rechecked manually. The spatial distribution shows a preference for high latitude and intensity peaks in the region within 6 Saturn radii (R-s) for both 5 and 20 kHz NB emissions. 5 kHz NB emissions also show a local time preference roughly in the 18:00-22:00 sector. The Enceladus plasma torus makes it difficult for NB emissions to propagate to the low latitude regions outside the plasma torus. The extent of the low latitude regions where 5 and 20 kHz NB emissions were never observed is consistent with the corresponding plasma torus density contour in the meridional plane. 20 kHz NB emissions show a high circular polarization while 5 kHz NB emissions are less circularly polarized with vertical bar V vertical bar < 0.6 for majority of the cases. And cases of 5 kHz NB emissions with high circular polarization are more frequently observed at high latitude especially at the northern and southern edges of the Enceladus plasma torus.
Astronomy & Astrophysics Physical Sciences Science & Technology

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