Journal article
The plasma density distribution in the inner region of Saturn's magnetosphere
Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.118(6), pp.2970-2974
06/01/2013
DOI: 10.1002/jgra.50182
Abstract
Electron density measurements derived from the upper hybrid resonance frequency have been obtained from the Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Science experiment over a 7 year period from 28 October 2004 through 7 November 2011. Additional density measurements inside the orbit of Enceladus and outside the orbit of Rhea have made it possible to expand a previously published density model to radial distances from 2.6 to 10.0 Saturnian radii (R-S). The distribution of density data is compared to a simple scale height density model for a single-species plasma within 8 degrees of the magnetic equatorial plane. There is a broad peak in the equatorial density distribution between 4 R-S and 5 R-S with the plasma falling off both inward and outward from the peak region. The radial dependence of the equatorial density profile varies as R-4.0 from 2.6 R-S to 4 R-S and as R-4.8 from 5 R-S to 10 R-S. The plasma distribution outside 5 R-S remains consistent with earlier density models but additional density measurements inside 4 R-S provide information on the plasma distribution in this inner region that will be the focus of the F-Ring and proximal orbits near the end of the Cassini mission.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The plasma density distribution in the inner region of Saturn's magnetosphere
- Creators
- A. M. Persoon - University of IowaD. A. Gurnett - University of IowaJ. S. Leisner - Imperial College LondonW. S. Kurth - University of IowaJ. B. Groene - University of IowaJ. B. Faden - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.118(6), pp.2970-2974
- Publisher
- Amer Geophysical Union
- DOI
- 10.1002/jgra.50182
- ISSN
- 2169-9380
- eISSN
- 2169-9402
- Number of pages
- 5
- Grant note
- 1415150 / NASA; National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory; National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 06/01/2013
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984455549502771
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