EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Keller & Cravens 1994
Keller, C.N. and Cravens, T.E. (1994). One-dimensional multispecies hydrodynamic models of the wakeside ionosphere of Titan. Journal of Geophysical Research 99: doi: 10.1029/93JA02681. issn: 0148-0227.

The passage of Voyager 1 through the wakeside region of Titan's ionosphere provided an interesting probe of this plasma environment. A one-dimensional multispecies hydrodynamic model was developed to study the wakeside ionosphere for radial distances ranging from 1.3 to 4.5 RT and included the ion species H2CN+, CnH+m, C2H+5, CH+5, H+, H+2, and H+3. Plasma transport only along magnetic field lines was included. The only source of ion production was from electron impact ionization of Titan's atmosphere by radially streaming Saturnian magnetospheric electrons (i.e., the nightside wakeside ionosphere). We found that ion production rates due to hot (200 eV) magnetospheric electrons impacting Titan's neutral atmosphere along radial field lines were comparable to the dayside ion production rates due to solar EUV flux. The magnetic flux tube area was varied along with electron temperature, and the results were compared to the ion densities and velocities measured during the Voyager 1 encounter. We found outward ion flows of about (2-7)¿106 cm-2 s-1, resulting in a total ion loss from Titan into Saturn's magnetosphere of about (6-20)¿1024 s-1. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1994

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Ionosphere, Ionosphere-magnetosphere interactions, Ionosphere, Planetary ionospheres, Magnetospheric Physics, Planetary magnetospheres, Space Plasma Physics, Kinetic and MHD theory
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit