Saturn's magnetosphere, rings, and inner satellites. Progress report

Technical Report · Fri Nov 02 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:5245453

Van Allen, J A; Thomsen, M F; Randall, B A; Rairden, R L; Grosskreutz, C L

The 31 August-5 September 1979 observations together with those of the other Pioneer 11 investigators provide the first thoroughly credible discovery of the magnetosphere of Saturn and many detailed characteristics thereof. In physical dimensions and energetic charged particle population, Saturn's magnetosphere is intermediate between those of Earth and Jupiter. In terms of planetary radii, the scale of Saturn's magnetosphere more nearly resembles that of Earth and there is much less inflation by entrapped plasma than in the case of Jupiter. The orbit of Titan lies in the outer fringes of the magnetosphere. Particle angular distributions on the inbound leg of the trajectory (sunward side) have a complex pattern, but are everywhere consistent with a dipolar magnetic field approximately perpendicular to the planet's equator. On the outbound leg (dawn side) there are marked departures from this situation outside of 8 r/sub S/, an equatorial current sheet having both longitudinal and radial components suggests itself. The particulate rings and inner satellites have a profound effect on the distribution of energetic particles.

• Research Organization: Iowa Univ., Iowa City (USA). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
• OSTI ID: 5245453
• Report Number(s): AD-A-076619
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANGULAR DISTRIBUTION
ATMOSPHERES
CHARGED PARTICLES
DISTRIBUTION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETARY MAGNETOSPHERES
PLANETS
RADIATIONS
RINGS
SATELLITES
SATURN PLANET
SIZE