Physics
Scientific paper
Jul 1996
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1996hst..prop.6854t&link_type=abstract
HST Proposal ID #6854
Physics
Hst Proposal Id #6854 Solar System
Scientific paper
We will observe Saturn's far-ultraviolet auroral emissions in the H Ly alpha {1216 Angstrom} and H2 Lyman and Werner {900-1650 Angstrom} emission bands with STIS in its MAMA imaging and spectroscopic modes. In cycles 6 and 7 the geometry favors imaging of the south aurora. Seven orbits of WFPC2 auroral investigations in cycles 4 and 5 indicate that most of Saturn's auroral energy is radiated from the morning sector in both polar regions, peaking near dawn, and that intensities are variable on 10-minute time scales. This suggests that magnetosphere-solar wind interactions play a dominant role in powering the auroral emissions. In addition, a correlation between the intensity of auroral emissions and the passage of a narrow range of magnetic longitudes through local time and was observed by Voyager in 1980-1, but has not been observed by WFPC2 because previous observations covered only a fraction of Saturn's rotation period. Due to a +/-7 second uncertainty in the Voyager-determined rotation period for Saturn, it is no longer possible to predict the CML of peak Saturn auroral activity. Observations covering an entire 10.66-hour rotation period are required to discriminate between the possible physical mechanisms that power the aurora.
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