Physics
Scientific paper
Oct 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011epsc.conf.1467j&link_type=abstract
EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2011, held 2-7 October 2011 in Nantes, France. http://meetings.copernicus.org/epsc-dps2011, p.1467
Physics
Scientific paper
Saturn's second-largest moon, Rhea, resides within the planet's magnetosphere, and is continuously exposed to the magnetospheric plasma population. We report on Cassini Plasma Spectrometer (CAPS) observations made during the Cassini spacecraft's close encounters with Rhea on March 2, 2010, and January 11, 2011; these demonstrate the fascinating physical processes that occur near solid body surfaces. During the flybys, Cassini passed a few tens of kilometres of the north and south polar regions of the satellite, respectively. The CAPS Electron Spectrometer, ELS, had good pitch angle coverage during the encounters, with its 8 anodes covering directions from towards, to away from the moon. CAPS-ELS observed the expected decrease in the high energy electron population caused by their absorption by Rhea, but also observed an enhancement in the population of electrons at energies below a few hundred eV. We present our interpretation of this population as being associated with the surface charging of Rhea. At the time of both encounters, the moon's surface was negatively charged, meaning it could reflect certain incoming electrons before they struck the ground, and could also accelerate low energy electrons liberated near the surface. Implications of the observations are discussed.
Coates Andrew J.
Crary F. F.
Jones Geraint H.
Roussos Elias
No associations
LandOfFree
Surface Charging of Saturn's moon Rhea does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Surface Charging of Saturn's moon Rhea, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Surface Charging of Saturn's moon Rhea will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1485741