Other
Scientific paper
Aug 1994
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1994jgr....9914781m&link_type=abstract
Journal of Geophysical Research (ISSN 0148-0227), vol. 99, no. A8, p. 14,781-14,788
Other
5
Astronomical Models, Auroras, Energetic Particles, Ion Stripping, Neptune (Planet), Planetary Magnetospheres, Electron Precipitation, Magnetic Fields, Mapping, Particle Density (Concentration), Voyager 2 Spacecraft
Scientific paper
A dramatic and peculiar dropout of greater than 500-keV ions (but not electrons) was observed within Neptune's inner magnetosphere near 2 RN as the Voyager 2 spacecraft approached the planet. Unlike a number of other energetic particle features this feature could not be accounted for by known material bodies in the context of the most utilized magnetic field models (neither the offset tilted dipole models nor the spehrical harmonic model 'O8'). However, the configuration of Neptune's inner magnetosphere is highly uncertain. By applying a novel technique, utilizing energetic particle measurements, to constrain the magnetic field configuration of the inner regions, we show that appeals to unobserved materials within Neptune's system are unnecessary, and that the ion dropout feature was, in all likelihood, the result of ion interactions with maximum L excursions of the ring 1989N1R. The constraints also favor the se of the M2 magnetic field model (Selesnick, 1992) over the previous models. An electron feature was probably absent because the electron interactions with the ring occurred substantially before the ion interactions (about 2 hours for the electrons versus a few minutes for the ions). Pitch-angle scattering apparently eliminated the electron signature. Minimum scattering rates determined based on this premise yield enough electron precipitation power to explain the brightest component of Neptune's aurora. We propose that this bright component is analogous to the Earth's diffuse aurora.
Acuña Mario Humberto
Krimigis Stamatios M.
Mauk Barry H.
No associations
LandOfFree
Neptune's inner magnetosphere and aurora: Energetic particle constraints 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 Neptune's inner magnetosphere and aurora: Energetic particle constraints, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Neptune's inner magnetosphere and aurora: Energetic particle constraints will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1497461