Saturn's luminosity and magnetism

Details Saturn's luminosity and magnetism Saturn's luminosity and magnetism

May 1980

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1980sci...208..746s&link_type=abstract

Science, vol. 208, May 16, 1980, p. 746-748.

Computer Science

32

Gravitational Effects, Planetary Magnetic Fields, Saturn (Planet), Saturn Atmosphere, Helium, Hydrogen, Luminosity, Magnetic Dipoles, Pioneer 11 Space Probe, Planetary Rotation, Solar System, Saturn, Luminescence, Magnetism, Pioneer 11, Heat Flow, Thickness, Magnetic Fields, Interior, Models, Helium, Phases, Distribution, Atmosphere, Comparisons, Energy, Evolution, Gravity, Observations, Dipole, Dynamo, Core

Scientific paper

The ongoing gravitational differentiation of helium from hydrogen within Saturn is proposed as an explanation of the excess heat output, smaller than expected magnetic field and 1-deg tilt of the magnetic dipole with respect to the rotation axis of the planet observed by Pioneer 11. Evolutionary calculations of the age of a homogeneous Saturn based on its excess heat output are shown to result in a value less than the age of the solar system, suggesting the need for an additional source of energy, which could be supplied by the gravitational energy released from a downward partitioning of the denser helium. Differentiation is also found to be compatible with the reduced external magnetic field of Saturn due to its limitation of the convecting metallic dynamo region to a deeper zone of the planet, and with the axisymmetric orientation of the field due to the differential rotation of the inhomogeneous stable stratified metallic fluid layer above the dynamo region.

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