Saturn's ionosphere: Electron density altitude profiles and ring shadowing effects from the Cassini Grand Finale.
Abstract
Using the latest in-situ measurements of the Langmuir probe part of the Radio & Plasma Wave Science (RPWS) instrument package onboard the Cassini spacecraft, we analyse the electron density altitude profiles of all the proximal orbits from the Cassini Grand Finale. This study has provided detailed analysis of the Kronien topside ionosphere by evidencing a layered structure with at least a diffusive and chemical equilibrium regions. Moreover, based on the observed A and B ring shadows we could study the reponses of the ionospheric plasma in the absence of the sunlight as an ionization source.
- Publication:
-
European Planetary Science Congress
- Pub Date:
- September 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018EPSC...12..226H