Analysis of Intercalibrated Plasma Observations in Saturn's Magnetosphere
Abstract
The magnetosphere of Saturn, an environment rich in plasma sources, has been systematically investigated by the Cassini spacecraft since 2004. Using the plasma particle measurements, the aim of the present study is to produce an overview of the plasma dynamics inferred from observations and to establish a three dimension kronian plasma distribution mapping. It consists in studying the properties of the plasma energy spectra in the different regions crossed by Cassini and determining the characteristic fluid parameters (temperature, density, pressure, spectral index) by a forward modeling method. For this purpose, we use data from the two plasma instruments onboard Cassini spacecraft: the CAPS electron and ion spectrometer (ELS & IMS) measuring the low energy plasma (eV to keV) and the Low Energy Magnetospheric Measurement System (LEMMS) of the MIMI instrument measuring the energetic plasma (keV to MeV).The calculated radial, latitudinal, and local time profiles allow to deduce some first results on the plasma configuration and dynamics and also constraint the possible inward and outward transport mechanisms. The fluid parameters are finally used as input for the equilibrium and transport equations parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic field.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2007
- Bibcode:
- 2007AGUFM.P43A1028S
- Keywords:
-
- 2730 Magnetosphere: inner;
- 2740 Magnetospheric configuration and dynamics;
- 2768 Plasmasphere;
- 2774 Radiation belts;
- 2778 Ring current