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

Detailed Reference Information
Wahlund et al. 2005
Wahlund, J.-E., Boström, R., Gustafsson, G., Gurnett, D.A., Kurth, W.S., Averkamp, T., Hospodarsky, G.B., Persoon, A.M., Canu, P., Pedersen, A., Desch, M.D., Eriksson, A.I., Gill, R., Morooka, M.W. and André, M. (2005). The inner magnetosphere of Saturn: Cassini RPWS cold plasma results from the first encounter. Geophysical Research Letters 32: doi: 10.1029/2005GL022699. issn: 0094-8276.

We present new results from the inner magnetosphere of Saturn obtained by the Radio and Plasma Wave Science (RPWS) investigation onboard Cassini around the period of the Saturn orbit injection (July 1, 2004). Plasma wave electric field emissions, voltage sweeps by the Langmuir probe (LP) and radio sounder data were used to infer the cold plasma (<100 eV) characteristics within 20 RS of Saturn. A dense (<150 cm-3) and cold (<7 eV) plasma torus was found just outside the visible F-ring. This torus of partly dusty plasma does not perfectly co-rotate with Saturn, which suggests the cold plasma is electro-dynamically coupled to the charged ring-dust particles. The spacecraft potential was a few volts negative above the E- and G-rings, indicating the dust-particles were likewise negatively charged. The cold ion characteristics changed near the magnetically conjugate position of Dione, indicating release of volatile material from this icy moon.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Magnetospheric Physics, Magnetosphere, inner, Magnetospheric Physics, Magnetosphere interactions with satellites and rings, Magnetospheric Physics, Planetary magnetospheres (5443, 5737, 6033)
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