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AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Keywords

  • Saturn plasma periodicity

Index Terms

  • Magnetospheric Physics: Planetary magnetospheres
  • Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetic reconnection
  • Magnetospheric Physics: Solar wind/magnetosphere interactions
  • Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Saturn
  • Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetospheric configuration and dynamics

Abstract

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 35, L14105, 4 PP., 2008
doi:10.1029/2008GL034951

On the cause of Saturn's plasma periodicity

J. L. Burch

Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA

J. Goldstein

Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA

P. Mokashi

Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA

W. S. Lewis

Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA

C. Paty

Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA

D. T. Young

Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA

A. J. Coates

Mullard Space Science Laboratory, Dorking, UK

M. K. Dougherty

Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, London, UK

N. André

European Space Technology Centre, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Periodic plasma enhancements are examined for all Cassini orbits from December 29, 2005 through September 7, 2006. The events, which have UT durations of 3–4 hours, are centered near SLS3 longitude 10° at radial distances near 15 RS and at larger W longitudes at larger distances, reaching 180°W by 49 RS. Magnetic-field data within the events and outside 30 to 35 RS show signatures of neutral-sheet crossings and magnetic reconnection (i.e., plasmoids). We conclude that plasmoids move outward from 30–35 RS along a spiral path that rotates with the planet. The duration of these events is similar to that of SKR events, and they are ordered in the SKR-based SLS3 longitude system. A conceptual model, in which the plasmoids are triggered in the pre-midnight quadrant following (with a predictable delay) the appearance of SKR at the magnetopause and then propagate outward in a rotating spiral pattern, can explain the connection among periodicities observed in Saturn's charged particles, magnetic fields, and kilometric radiation.

Received 6 June 2008; accepted 26 June 2008; published 31 July 2008.

Citation: Burch, J. L., J. Goldstein, P. Mokashi, W. S. Lewis, C. Paty, D. T. Young, A. J. Coates, M. K. Dougherty, and N. André (2008), On the cause of Saturn's plasma periodicity, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L14105, doi:10.1029/2008GL034951.

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