Saturn's magnetosphere, rings, and inner satellites

Details Saturn's magnetosphere, rings, and inner satellites Saturn's magnetosphere, rings, and inner satellites

Jan 1980

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1980sci...207..415v&link_type=abstract

Science, vol. 207, Jan. 25, 1980, p. 415-421. Navy-supported research;

Physics

13

Natural Satellites, Pioneer 11 Space Probe, Planetary Magnetospheres, Saturn Atmosphere, Saturn Rings, Space Exploration, Angular Distribution, Bow Waves, Charged Particles, Magnetometers, Plasma Composition, Shock Waves, Saturn, Magnetosphere, Rings, Satellites, Pioneer 11, Observations, Physical Properties, Comparisons, Plasmas, Charged Particles, Data, Distribution, Magnetic Fields, Current Sheet, Absorption, Divisions, Titan, Dione, Mimas, Tethys, Enceladus, Janus, Distance, Equipment

Scientific paper

The discovery of the Saturn magnetosphere and its characterization by Pioneer 11 are reported, and findings on the planet's rings and satellites obtained by energetic charged particle measurements within the inner magnetosphere are presented. Bow shock crossings identified by the Pioneer plasma analyzer and magnetometer at distances of 24.1, 23.1 and 20.0 Saturn radii indicate the presence of a magnetosphere with physical dimensions and charged particle populations intermediate between those of the earth and Jupiter, with a scale more similar to that of the earth. Particle angular distributions on the inbound leg of the trajectory are consistent with a dipole magnetic field approximately perpendicular to the planet's equator, while on the outbound leg the distributions indicate the presence of an equatorial current sheet. Charged particle absorption features are detected at the orbits of Dione and Mimas, encompassing the orbits of Tethys and Enceladus, and at 2.534 and 2.343 Saturn radii indicating the presence of satellites of diameters greater than 170 km. Charged particle measurements also confirm the Pioneer division in the rings between 2.292 and 2.336 Saturn radii, a suspected satellite at 2.82 Saturn radii, the presence of the F ring between 2.336 and 2.371 Saturn radii and the outer radius of the A ring at 2.292 Saturn radii.

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