Comparison of characteristic times for satellite absorption of energetic protons trapped in the Jovian and Saturnian magnetic fields

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL008i009p00976· OSTI ID:5936855

Hood, L L

The relative symmetry of the Saturnian magnetic field with respect to the rotational equatorial plane results in characteristic times for satellite absorption of trapped energetic protons that are typically one to three orders of magnitude smaller than the corresponding Jovian satellite absorption times. The maximum difference occurs for nearly equatorially mirroring particles. Assuming that the rates of radial diffusion are comparable within the two magnetospheres, the inner Saturnian satellites are more efficient absorbers of inwardly diffusing ions than their Jovian counterparts. Thus, via the mechanism of satellite absorption, the rotational symmetry of the planetary magnetic field may play an important indirect role in determining gross properties of the radiation environment at Saturn.

• Research Organization: Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
• OSTI ID: 5936855
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Vol. 8:9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
JUPITER PLANET
PLANETARY MAGNETOSPHERES
SATURN PLANET
ION MOBILITY
RADIATION BELTS
STELLITE
TRAPPING
ALLOYS
ATMOSPHERES
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
COBALT ALLOYS
COBALT BASE ALLOYS
HEAT RESISTANT MATERIALS
HEAT RESISTING ALLOYS
MATERIALS
MOBILITY
PARTICLE MOBILITY
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETS
TUNGSTEN ALLOYS
640107* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Planetary Phenomena