A case study of the variability of Titan's ionosphere: T118 and T119
Abstract
We present measurements from the Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Science/Langmuir probe (RPWS/LP) instrument of the electron density in the ionosphere of Titan during the T118 and T119 flybys. Even though the flyby geometry is similar, the electron density altitude profile differs significantly from one flyby to the next. In the altitude range 1150 -1250 km there is no significant difference in density between the two flybys, while both above and below (in the ranges 980-1150 km and 1250-1500 km) there is as much as a factor 5 difference in electron density. The differences are measured to be present both during the inbound and the outbound leg of the Cassini flyby. Comparing to previous flybys at the same location in SZA and altitude it seems as if the plasma is depleted during T118, while the electron density is around average during T119. We also compare the measurements to results from models of ionisation through ion and electron precipitation.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017AGUFM.P51C2613E
- Keywords:
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- 5405 Atmospheres;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS;
- 5435 Ionospheres;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS