| 1. |
- Farrell, W. M., et al.
(författare)
-
Modification of the plasma in the near-vicinity of Enceladus by the enveloping dust
- 2010
-
Ingår i: Geophysical Research Letters. - 0094-8276 .- 1944-8007. ; 37:20, s. L20202-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The plasma near Saturn's equator is quasi-corotating, but those fluid elements entering the near-vicinity of the moon Enceladus become uniquely modified. Besides the solid body, the Moon has a surrounding dust envelop that we show herein to be detected similar to 20 Enceladus radii (1 R-E = 252 km) both north and south of the body. Previous reports indicate that corotating plasma slows down substantially in the near-vicinity of Enceladus. We show herein that the commencement of this plasma slow down matches closely with Cassini's entry into the dense portions of the enveloping dust in the northern hemisphere above the Moon. We also examine in detail the source of the dust about 400 km above the south polar fissures. We find that a large positive potential must exist between the south pole of the moon and the spacecraft to account for ions streaming away from the pole on connecting magnetic field lines.
|
|
| 2. |
- Hadid, Lina Z, et al.
(författare)
-
Ring Shadowing Effects on Saturn's Ionosphere : Implications for Ring Opacity and Plasma Transport
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Geophysical Research Letters. - : AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION. - 0094-8276 .- 1944-8007. ; 45:19, s. 10084-10092
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present new results obtained by the Radio and Plasma Wave Science Langmuir probe on board Cassini during the Grand Finale. The total direct current sampled by the Langmuir probe at negative bias voltage is used to study the effect of the ring shadows on the structure of the Kronian topside ionosphere. The D and C rings and the Cassini Division are confirmed to be optically thin to extreme ultraviolet solar radiation. However, different responses from the opaque A and B rings are observed. The edges of the A ring shadow are shown to match the A ring boundaries, unlike the B ring, which indicates variable responses to the B ring shadow. We show that the variable responses are due to the ionospheric plasma, more precisely to the longer chemical lifetime of H+ compared to H-2(+) and H-3(+), suggesting that the plasma is transported from the sunlit region to the shadowed one in the ionosphere. Plain Language Summary As Saturn's northern hemisphere experienced summer during the Grand Finale, the planet's northern dayside hemisphere and its rings were fully illuminated by the Sun. However, the southern hemisphere was partly obscured because of the shadows cast by the A and B rings. Using the in situ measurements of the Langmuir probe part of the Radio and Plasma Wave Science investigation on board the Cassini spacecraft, we study for the first time the effect of the ring shadows on Saturn's ionosphere. From the ring shadows signatures on the total ion current collected by the Langmuir probe, we show that the A and B rings are optically thicker (to the solar extreme ultraviolet radiation) than the inner C and D rings and the Cassini Division to the solar extreme ultraviolet radiation. Moreover, we reproduce the boundaries of the A ring and the outer edge of the B ring. Furthermore, observed variations with respect to the inner edge of the B ring imply a delayed response of the ionospheric H+ because of its long lifetime and suggest that the ionospheric plasma is transported from an unshadowed region to a shadowed one in the ionosphere.
|
|
| 3. |
- Morooka, Michiko W., et al.
(författare)
-
Dusty plasma in the vicinity of Enceladus
- 2011
-
Ingår i: Journal of Geophysical Research. - : American Geophysical Union (AGU). - 0148-0227 .- 2156-2202. ; 116
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present in situ Cassini Radio Plasma Wave Science observations in the vicinity of Enceladus and in the E ring of Saturn that indicate the presence of dusty plasma. The four flybys of Enceladus in 2008 revealed the following cold plasma characteristics: (1) there is a large plasma density (both ions and electrons) within the Enceladus plume region, (2) no plasma wake effect behind Enceladus was detected, (3) electron densities are generally much lower than the ion densities in the E ring (n(e)/n(i) < 0.5) as well as in the plume (n(e)/n(i) < 0.01), and (4) the average bulk ion drift speed is significantly less than the corotation speed and is instead close to the Keplerian speed. These signatures result from half or more of the electrons being attached to dust grains and by the interaction between the surrounding cold plasma and the predominantly negatively charged submicrometer-sized dust grains. The dust and plasma properties estimated from the observations clearly show that the dust-plasma interaction is collective. This strong dust-plasma coupling appears not only in the Enceladus plume but also in the Enceladus torus, typically from about 20 R(E) (similar to 5000 km) north and about 60 R(E) (similar to 15,000 km) south of Enceladus. We also suggest that the dust-plasma interaction in the E ring is the cause of the planetary spin-modulated dynamics of Saturn's magnetosphere at large.
|
|
| 4. |
- Morooka, Michiko W., et al.
(författare)
-
The Dusty Plasma Disk Around the Janus/Epimetheus Ring
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Journal of Geophysical Research - Space Physics. - : AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION. - 2169-9380 .- 2169-9402. ; 123:6, s. 4668-4678
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We report on the electron, ion, and dust number densities and the electron temperatures obtained by the Radio and Plasma Wave Science instruments onboard Cassini during the Ring-Grazing orbits. The numerous ring passage observations show a consistent picture as follows: (1) Beyond 0.1 R-S above and below the equator the electron and ion densities are quasi-neutral with a distribution similar to the one obtained in the plasma disk. (2) A sharp ion density enhancement occurs at vertical bar Z vertical bar < 0.1 R-S, to more than 200 cm(-3) at the equator, while the electron density remains low only to values of 50cm(-3). The electron/ion density ratio is <= 0.1 at the equator. (3) Micrometer-sized dust has also been observed at the equator. However, the region of intense dust signals is significantly narrower (vertical bar Z vertical bar<0.02 R-S) than the enhanced ion density regions. (4) The electron temperature (T-e) generally decreases with decreasing Z with small T-e enhancements near the equator. We show that the dust size characteristics are different depending on the distance from the equator, and the large micrometer-sized grains are more perceptible in a narrow region near the equator where the power law slope of the dust size distribution becomes less steep. As a result, different scale heights are obtained for nanometer and micrometer grains. Throughout the ring, the dominant part of the negative charges is carried by the small nanometer-sized grains. The electron/ion density ratio is variable from orbit to orbit, suggesting changes in the dust charging over time scales of weeks. Plain Language Summary The Radio and Plasma Wave Science instrument onboard Cassini observed a dusty plasma during the Ring-Grazing orbits. Dusty plasma is composed of, in addition to the electrons and ions, charged dust grains, and those grains play an important role in the plasma dynamics. The observed electron, ion, and dust number densities and the electron temperatures showed the layered structure of the faint Janus/Epimetheus rings. The core of the dusty ring composed of micron-sized dust is surrounded by a dusty plasma consisting of the ions and the negatively charged nanometer grains and further surrounded by the pristine plasma. The electron/ion density ratio of the dusty plasma varies from orbit to orbit, implying that the dust charging characteristics of the dusty ring change over time scales of weeks.
|
|
| 5. |
- Shafiq, Muhammad, et al.
(författare)
-
Characteristics of the dust-plasma interaction near Enceladus' South Pole
- 2011
-
Ingår i: Planetary and Space Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0032-0633 .- 1873-5088. ; 59:1, s. 17-25
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present RPWS Langmuir probe data from the third Enceladus flyby (E3) showing the presence of dusty plasma near Enceladus' South Pole. There is a sharp rise in both the electron and ion number densities when the spacecraft traverses through Enceladus plume. The ion density near Enceladus is found to increase abruptly from about 10(2) cm(-3) before the closest approach to 10(5) cm(-3) just 30 s after the closest approach, an amount two orders of magnitude higher than the electron density. Assuming that the inconsistency between the electron and ion number densities is due to the presence of dust particles that are collecting the missing electron charges, we present dusty plasma characteristics down to sub-micron particle sizes. By assuming a differential dust number density for a range in dust sizes and by making use of Langmuir probe data, the dust densities for certain lower limits in dust size distribution were estimated. In order to achieve the dust densities of micrometer and larger sized grains comparable to the ones reported in the literature, we show that the power law size distribution must hold down to at least 0.03 mu m such that the total differential number density is dominated by the smallest sub-micron sized grains. The total dust number density in Enceladus' plume is of the order of 10(2) cm(-3) reducing to 1 cm(-3) in the E-ring. The dust density for micrometer and larger sized grains is estimated to be about 10(-4) cm(-3) in the plume while it is about 10(-6)-10(-7) cm(-3) in the E-ring. Dust charge for micron sized grains is estimated to be about eight thousand electron charges reducing to below one hundred electron charges for 0.03 mu m sized grains. The effective dusty plasma Debye length is estimated and compared with intergrain distance as well as the electron Debye length. The maximum dust charging time of 1.4 h is found for 0.03 mu m sized grains just 1 min before the closest approach. The charging time decreases substantially in the plume where it is only a fraction of a second for 1 mu m sized grains, 1 s for 0.1 mu m sized grains and about 10 s for 0.03 mu m sized grains.
|
|
| 6. |
- Wahlund, Jan-Erik, et al.
(författare)
-
In situ measurements of Saturn's ionosphere show that it is dynamic and interacts with the rings
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 359:6371, s. 66-68
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The ionized upper layer of Saturn's atmosphere, its ionosphere, provides a closure of currents mediated by the magnetic field to other electrically charged regions (for example, rings) and hosts ion-molecule chemistry. In 2017, the Cassini spacecraft passed inside the planet's rings, allowing in situ measurements of the ionosphere. The Radio and Plasma Wave Science instrument detected a cold, dense, and dynamic ionosphere at Saturn that interacts with the rings. Plasma densities reached up to 1000 cubic centimeters, and electron temperatures were below 1160 kelvin near closest approach. The density varied between orbits by up to two orders of magnitude. Saturn's A- and B-rings cast a shadow on the planet that reduced ionization in the upper atmosphere, causing a north-south asymmetry.
|
|
| 7. |
- Waite, J. H., Jr., et al.
(författare)
-
Chemical interactions between Saturn's atmosphere and its rings
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Science. - : AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE. - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 362:6410
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Pioneer and Voyager spacecraft made close-up measurements of Saturn's ionosphere and upper atmosphere in the 1970s and 1980s that suggested a chemical interaction between the rings and atmosphere. Exploring this interaction provides information on ring composition and the influence on Saturn's atmosphere from infalling material. The Cassini Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer sampled in situ the region between the D ring and Saturn during the spacecraft's Grand Finale phase. We used these measurements to characterize the atmospheric structure and material influx from the rings. The atmospheric He/H-2 ratio is 10 to 16%. Volatile compounds from the rings (methane; carbon monoxide and/or molecular nitrogen), as well as larger organic-bearing grains, are flowing inward at a rate of 4800 to 45,000 kilograms per second.
|
|
| 8. |
- Edberg, Niklas J. T., et al.
(författare)
-
Structured ionospheric outflow during the Cassini T55-T59 Titan flybys
- 2011
-
Ingår i: Planetary and Space Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0032-0633 .- 1873-5088. ; 59:8, s. 788-797
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- During the final three of the five consecutive and similar Cassini Titan flybys T55-T59 we observe a region characterized by high plasma densities (electron densities of 1-8 cm(-3)) in the tail/nightside of Titan. This region is observed progressively farther downtail from pass to pass and is interpreted as a plume of ionospheric plasma escaping Titan, which appears steady in both location and time. The ions in this plasma plume are moving in the direction away from Titan and are a mixture of both light and heavy ions with composition revealing that their origin are in Titan's ionosphere, while the electrons are more isotropically distributed. Magnetic field measurements indicate the presence of a current sheet at the inner edge of this region. We discuss the mechanisms behind this outflow, and suggest that it could be caused by ambipolar diffusion, magnetic moment pumping or dispersive Alfven waves.
|
|
| 9. |
- Farrell, W. M., et al.
(författare)
-
An estimate of the dust pickup current at Enceladus
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Icarus. - : Elsevier BV. - 0019-1035 .- 1090-2643. ; 239, s. 217-221
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We demonstrate that the acceleration of submicron dust originating at Enceladus by a reduced co-rotating E-field is capable of creating a dust pickup current perpendicular to the magnetic field with values ranging from 3 to 15 kA (depending upon the effective grain charge). Such a current represents a new contribution to the total pickup current in the region. As such, we suggest that dust pickup currents, along with ion and electron pickup currents, are all active within the plume.
|
|
| 10. |
- Farrell, W. M., et al.
(författare)
-
Ion trapping by dust grains : Simulation applications to the Enceladus plume
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets. - : AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION. - 2169-9097 .- 2169-9100. ; 122:4, s. 729-743
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Using a particle-in-cell electrostatic simulation, we examine the conditions that allow low-energy ions, like those produced in the Enceladus plume, to be attracted and trapped within the sheaths of negatively charged dust grains. The conventional wisdom is that all new ions produced in the Enceladus plume are free to get picked up (i.e., accelerated by the local E field to then undergo vB acceleration). However, we suggest herein that the presence of submicron-charged dust in the plume impedes this pickup process since the local grain electric field greatly exceeds the corotation E fields. The simulations demonstrate that cold ions will tend to accelerate toward the negatively charged grains and become part of the ion plasma sheath. These trapped ions will move with the grains, exiting the plume region at the dust speed. We suggest that Cassini's Langmuir probe is measuring the entire ion population (free and trapped ions), while the Cassini magnetometer detects the magnetic perturbations associated with pickup currents from the smaller population of free ions, with this distinction possibly reconciling the ongoing debate in the literature on the ion density in the plume.
|
|
