Understanding Cassini RPWS antenna signals triggered by dust impacts

S. -Y. Ye; J. Vaverka; Libor Nouzak; Z. Sternovsky; A. Zaslavsky; Jiri Pavlu; Ingrid Mann; Hsiang-Wen Hsu; Terrance F. Averkamp; Ali H. Sulaiman; David Pisa; George B. Hospodarsky; William S. Kurth; M. Horanyi

doi:10.1029/2019GL084150

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Understanding Cassini RPWS antenna signals triggered by dust impacts

Journal article

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Understanding Cassini RPWS antenna signals triggered by dust impacts

S. -Y. Ye, J. Vaverka, Libor Nouzak, Z. Sternovsky, A. Zaslavsky, Jiri Pavlu, Ingrid Mann, Hsiang-Wen Hsu, Terrance F. Averkamp, Ali H. Sulaiman, …

Geophysical research letters, Vol.46(20), pp.10941-10950

10/28/2019

DOI: 10.1029/2019GL084150

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Abstract

Electric field antennas are capable of detecting dust impacts in different space environment. We analyze the dust impact signals detected by the Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Science instrument at different locations around Saturn and compare them with dust impact signals simulated in laboratory conditions and numerically. The spacecraft potential, the size, and capacitance of the impacted element and ambient plasma have a strong effect on the amplitude and the shape of impact signals, providing important clues to understanding the signal generation mechanism. The voltage signal on the antenna is due to the separation of the impact generated charges, which occurs as electrons and ions can either escape (at different speeds) or be collected by the impacted element depending on the spacecraft potential. Abstract Copyright (2019). The Authors.

Numerical Analysis

Cassini-Huygens Mission

clastic sediments

dust

experimental studies

Extraterrestrial geology

giant planets

impacts

instruments

laboratory studies

measurement

mechanism

outer planets

planets

Saturn

sediments

signals

simulation

Details

Title: Subtitle: Understanding Cassini RPWS antenna signals triggered by dust impacts
Creators: S. -Y. Ye - Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Department of Earth and Space Sciences Shenzhen CHN China
J. Vaverka - Charles University
Libor Nouzak - Charles University
Z. Sternovsky - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
A. Zaslavsky - Observatoire de Paris
Jiri Pavlu - Charles University
Ingrid Mann - UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Hsiang-Wen Hsu - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Terrance F. Averkamp - University of Iowa
Ali H. Sulaiman - University of Iowa
David Pisa
George B. Hospodarsky - University of Iowa
William S. Kurth - University of Iowa
M. Horanyi - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Geophysical research letters, Vol.46(20), pp.10941-10950
DOI: 10.1029/2019GL084150
ISSN: 0094-8276
eISSN: 1944-8007
Publisher: American Geophysical Union
Language: English
Date published: 10/28/2019
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984455264502771

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