Energetic charged particles in Saturn's magnetosphere: Voyager 2 results

Journal Article · Fri Jan 29 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.215.4532.577· OSTI ID:5635264

Vogt, R E ^[1]; Chenette, D L; Cummings, A C; Garrard, T L; Stone, E C; Schardt, A W; Trainor, J H; Lal, N; McDonald, F B

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1. California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena, CA

Results from the cosmic-ray system on Voyager 2 in Saturn's magnetosphere are presented. During the inbound pass through the outer magnetosphere, the greater than or equal to 0.43-million-electron-volt proton flux was more intense, and both the proton and electron fluxes were more varible, than previously observed. These changes are attributed to the influence on the magnetosphere of variations in the solar wind conditions. Outbound, beyond 18 Saturn radii, impulsive bursts of 0.14- to > 1.0-million-electron-volt electrons were observed. In the inner magnetosphere, the charged particle absorption signatures of Mimas, Enceladus, and Tethys are used to constrain the possible tilt and offset of Saturn's internal magnetic dipole. At approx. 3 Saturn radii, a transient decrease was observed in the electron flux which was not due to Mimas. Characteristics of this decrease suggest the existence of additional material, perhaps another satellite, in the orbit of Mimas.

• OSTI ID: 5635264
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 215; ISSN SCIEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABSORPTION
ATMOSPHERES
CHARGED PARTICLES
COSMIC RADIATION
DIPOLES
DYNAMICS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MAGNETIC DIPOLES
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MECHANICS
MULTIPOLES
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETARY MAGNETOSPHERES
PLANETS
RADIATIONS
RINGS
SATELLITES
SATURN PLANET
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
SPACE VEHICLES
VEHICLES
VOYAGER SPACE PROBES