Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010agufmsm32a..01s&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2010, abstract #SM32A-01
Physics
[2740] Magnetospheric Physics / Magnetospheric Configuration And Dynamics, [5737] Planetary Sciences: Fluid Planets / Magnetospheres, [5780] Planetary Sciences: Fluid Planets / Tori And Exospheres, [6275] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Saturn
Scientific paper
The Saturnian system differs from the Jovian system in that its magnetosphere is dominated by neutral particles by a factor of >10 over ions. Therefore, magnetospheric structure and dynamics are greatly influenced by neutrals. Prior to 2004, knowledge of the Saturnian system was limited to Earth based observations and only three in-situ flybys. The subsequent arrival of the Cassini spacecraft has rapidly changed what we know about the impact of neutrals in the Saturnian system causing dramatic revisions to our understanding of the physical processes occurring in Saturn’s magnetosphere. The very dense, relatively unprotected atmosphere of the large moon Titan, which was once believed to be a dominant source of plasma, has taken a back seat to its much smaller cousin, Enceladus. Recent findings underscore the significance of both source location and the nature of the source (e.g., out-gassing at Enceladus vs. atmospheric stripping at Titan) for determining the characteristics of magnetosphere plasma and neutral tori. Neutral particles originate from a wide variety of sources that are in turn dissociated and ionized affecting the plasma composition and mass loading in the magnetosphere. We present a brief overview of the current understanding of Saturn’s neutral tori and neutral/plasma sources as well as their influence on magnetospheric structure and dynamics.
Johnson Robert E.
Mitchell Donald G.
Smith Howard T.
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