A New Spoke Formation Model

Details A New Spoke Formation Model A New Spoke Formation Model

Dec 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006agufm.p34a..06j&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2006, abstract #P34A-06

Physics

3324 Lightning, 5704 Atmospheres (0343, 1060), 5719 Interactions With Particles And Fields, 5759 Rings And Dust, 6265 Planetary Rings

Scientific paper

A new model is proposed for the formation of spokes in Saturn's rings. We contend that they are formed by the electrostatic charging of sub-micron ring particles by magnetic field-aligned electron beams originating in Saturn's atmosphere. The existence of these beams has recently been confirmed by the MIMI instrument aboard Cassini. Although observed by MIMI outside the main ring system, the beams are also expected to occur closer to the planet. On striking the rings, the electrons charge the dust, causing the levitation of the fine grains above the main ring plane. A simulation of the proposed formation process provides strong supporting evidence for the validity of the process, explaining the spokes' formation locations, morphologies, and subsequent development as observed in Voyager images. The process can be tested using Cassini observations; we outline how the model's validity can be gauged.

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