Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010jgra..11512243j&link_type=abstract
Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 115, Issue A12, CiteID A12243
Physics
3
Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetosphere Interactions With Satellites And Rings, Planetary Sciences: Comets And Small Bodies: Atmospheres (1060), Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Saturnian Satellites, Magnetospheric Physics: Numerical Modeling, Interplanetary Physics: Pickup Ions
Scientific paper
The major momentum-loading source in Saturn's magnetosphere, Enceladus, has been studied with seven Cassini flybys between 2005 and 2008. In this paper, we first use parameter tests with our 3-D magnetohydrodynamic simulation to demonstrate and determine the sensitivity of the interaction to both electron impact rates and charge-exchange rates. We also investigate the reasons behind our previous discovery that in the plume, within about two Enceladus radii of the plume's source, the momentum-loading rates per unit ion and neutral density are orders of magnitude lower than at greater distances. We find that depletion of hot electrons and variations in charge-exchange rates are two possible explanations for such a reduction of the momentum-loading rates. Assisted by the Cassini observations, we use our understanding of the plasma interaction to determine the temporal variation of Enceladus' neutral plume, which is important in understanding its origin, as well as the geological evolution of this icy moon. We base our study on magnetometer observations during all seven flybys to present the first comparative analysis to all flybys in 2005 and 2008. It is found that the maximum variation in gas production rates is one third the largest rate. The plasma momentum-loading rate ranges from 0.8 to 1.9 kg/s, which is consistent with previous studies.
Gombosi Tamas I.
Jia Ying-Dong
Khurana Krishan K.
Kurth William
Ma Ying-Jun
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