Magnetospheric Science at Uranus and Neptune
Abstract
The magnetospheres of the Ice Giant planets Uranus and Neptune have only been sampled in-situ by the Voyager 2 spacecraft, which revealed a very complicated and dynamic system. In combination with the much weaker solar wind at these distances, the large diurnal and seasonal variability of the magnetospheres' orientation with respect to the solar wind, results in characteristics that are very different from the magnetospheres of Earth and the Gas Giants, Jupiter and Saturn. Studying these magnetospheres is important for furthering our understanding of fundamental physical and chemical processes in the Solar System, and may help in understanding the magnetic fields of exoplanets as well. A number of studies, proposals, and reports, including the recently completed "Ice Giants Pre-Decadal Survey Mission Study Report" have demonstrated the interest in a new mission to the Ice Giants. We will review the magnetospheric results from Voyager 2, summarize outstanding science questions, and discuss possible goals of a future mission to Uranus and/or Neptune.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017AGUFM.P31D2859H
- Keywords:
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- 6207 Comparative planetology;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS;
- 6255 Neptune;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS;
- 6293 Uranus;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS;
- 6297 Instruments and techniques;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS