Evidence of Saturn's magnetic field anomaly from Saturnian kilometric radiation high-frequency limit

Journal Article · Thu Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/91JA00696· OSTI ID:5256894

Galopeau, P; Zarka, P ^[1]; Ortega-Molina, A

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1. Observatoire de Paris, Meudon (France)

The detailed analysis of Voyager observations of Saturn kilometric radiation (SKR), taking into account the polarization response of the planetary radio astronomy experiment, has allowed the authors to study separately the high-frequency limit of SKR emitted from the northern and southern auroral regions of the planet. Interpretation of the variations of these high-frequency limits, in the frame of a model inspired by the cyclotron maser mechanism, has allowed them to demonstrate unambiguously the existence of a magnetic anomaly, postulated for years, in the near-surface Saturnian field. Its location and amplitude are estimated, and it is shown that, although it accounts for the observed SKR modulation, it could not be detected by the spacecraft-borne magnetometers which passed too far from the planetary surface. This demonstrates that the current degree of comprehension of planetary radio emissions makes them a unique and very pertinent tool for the fine study of planetary magnetic fields.

• OSTI ID: 5256894
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 96:A8; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ASTRONOMY
AURORAL ZONES
DATA ANALYSIS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLANETS
RADIATIONS
RADIOASTRONOMY
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SATURN PLANET
SPACE VEHICLES
VARIATIONS
VEHICLES
VOYAGER SPACE PROBES