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

Detailed Reference Information
Leisner et al. 2005
Leisner, J.S., Russell, C.T., Khurana, K.K., Dougherty, M.K. and André, N. (2005). Warm flux tubes in the E-ring plasma torus: Initial Cassini magnetometer observations. Geophysical Research Letters 32: doi: 10.1029/2005GL022652. issn: 0094-8276.

Initial Cassini magnetometer observations in the E-ring plasma torus reveal the presence of previously unreported diamagnetic decreases in the magnetic field. The decrease in magnetic pressure on these flux tubes implies the presence of additional plasma energy densities up to 1 keV/cm3. They are less stretched than surrounding flux tubes suggesting the centrifugal force acting on them is less, possibly because they have a lower mass content or lower azimuthal velocity than their neighbors. Outward from these isolated tubes, at about 6 Saturn radii, an irregular transition from predominantly cool to predominantly warm flux tubes is observed. A similar boundary is observed in the jovian magnetosphere at the outer edge of the Io torus. Both the saturnian and jovian boundaries are candidates for the interchange instability but other processes may also be acting. ULF waves are associated with some, but not all, of these flux tubes.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Magnetospheric Physics, Magnetosphere, inner, Magnetospheric Physics, Magnetosphere/ionosphere interactions, Planetary Sciences, Fluid Planets, Magnetospheres, Planetary Sciences, Fluid Planets, Rings and dust, Planetary Sciences, Solar System Objects, Saturn
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
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