An analysis of the structure of Saturn's magnetic field using charged particle absorption signatures
A technique is derived for determining the structure of Saturn's magnetic field. This technique uses the observed positions of charged particle absorption signatures due to the satellites and rings of Saturn to determine the parameters of an axially symmetric, spherical harmonic model of the magnetic field using the method of least squares. Absorption signatures observed along the Pioneer 11, Voyager 1, and Voyager 2 spacecraft trajectories are used to derive values for the orientation of the magnetic symmetry axis relative to Saturn's axis of rotation, the axial displacement of the center of the magnetic dipole from the center of Saturn, and the magnitude of the external field component. A comparison of these results with the magnetic field model parameters deduced from analyses of magnetometer data supports models which incorporate a northward offset of the dipole center by about 0.05 R(3).
- Research Organization:
- Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, CA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6662772
- Report Number(s):
- N-8329154; ATR-83(9558)-2; TRN: 84-016812
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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