Asymmetries in Saturn's radiation belts

Details Asymmetries in Saturn's radiation belts Asymmetries in Saturn's radiation belts

Jul 2010

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010jgra..11507216p&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 115, Issue A7, CiteID A07216

Physics

4

Magnetospheric Physics: Planetary Magnetospheres (5443, 5737, 6033), Magnetospheric Physics: Radiation Belts, Planetary Sciences: Fluid Planets: Magnetospheres (2756), Magnetospheric Physics: Energetic Particles: Trapped, Planetary Sciences: Fluid Planets: Rings And Dust

Scientific paper

We present both energetic proton and electron data from the main radiation belts of Saturn. When organized by L shell and equatorial pitch angle, data from Cassini's Magnetospheric Imaging Instrument reveal proton radiation belts that are highly symmetric in local time. The energetic electron radiation belts are asymmetric in two principal ways. Using data from two close passes of the planet, we find for energies near a few MeV, electron intensity levels are different between noon and midnight. Furthermore, when Cassini was inbound to Saturn, electron fluxes dropped precipitously before the spacecraft reached the main rings. Outbound, electron fluxes returned to high levels when the spacecraft moved outward of the main rings. In this paper, we suggest that electron flux level asymmetries are due in part to the presence of local time stationary particles in Saturn's inner magnetosphere. We also consider possible mechanisms to account the drop off of electrons near the ring edge on the dayside.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Asymmetries in Saturn's radiation belts 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 Asymmetries in Saturn's radiation belts, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Asymmetries in Saturn's radiation belts will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1225671