Saturn's equatorial ionosphere: dominance of heavy ions and model comparisons with Cassini Grand Finale data
Abstract
New in situ measurements by the Cassini spacecraft find evidence that Saturn's equatorial upper atmosphere is transformed by an unexpected influx of ring-derived material. This material significantly alters the chemistry in the ionosphere - the charged portion of the upper atmosphere - and produces a substantially more complex ion composition than predicted. Future observations of some of these ion species may help to track the evolution of Saturn's rings as they lose mass to its atmosphere.
- Publication:
-
European Planetary Science Congress
- Pub Date:
- September 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018EPSC...12..624M