Titan's Enigmatic Magnetized Ionosphere: Further Observational Constraints for Models

Details Titan's Enigmatic Magnetized Ionosphere: Further Observational Constraints for Models Titan's Enigmatic Magnetized Ionosphere: Further Observational Constraints for Models

Sep 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009dps....41.1701l&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #41, #17.01

Other

Scientific paper

Titan's ionospheric interaction with Saturn's magnetospheric plasma and field has since Voyager's first flyby been likened to the solar wind interaction with Venus. Indeed the Cassini observations of the ionosphere suggest a strong solar EUV control over the densities, with only modest magnetospheric ionization sources on a typical close flyby above 900 km. However the changing aspect of the incident, usually magnetospheric, plasma with respect to the subsolar ionosphere seems to produce a much more complicated behavior of the ionospheric magnetization than even that suggested by state-of-the-art simulations of the Titan- plasma interaction. Our study focuses on the simple question of whether the combined data sets from the Cassini Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer and the Magnetometer reveal patterns of the ionospheric magnetization. We consider organizations by solar zenith angle, nominal corotating plasma ram angle, Titan longitude, and Saturn Local time, as well as combinations of these and other parameters. The variability of the external conditions of the external plasma and magnetic field seem to impair, but not completely mask, some anticipated features. The results raise the question of whether such patterns are now clearer as this current solar minimum has progressed, with its low solar wind pressure perhaps quieting the magnetospheric environment at 20 Rs.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Titan's Enigmatic Magnetized Ionosphere: Further Observational Constraints for Models 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 Titan's Enigmatic Magnetized Ionosphere: Further Observational Constraints for Models, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Titan's Enigmatic Magnetized Ionosphere: Further Observational Constraints for Models will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1332337