Journal
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SPACE PHYSICS
Volume 116, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION
DOI: 10.1029/2011JA016461
Keywords
-
Categories
Funding
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration [1356500]
- STFC in the United Kingdom
- CNES agency
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- Science and Technology Facilities Council [PP/E001076/1, ST/G007462/1, ST/H00260X/1] Funding Source: researchfish
- UK Space Agency [ST/I002642/1, PP/D00084X/1, ST/J00460X/1] Funding Source: researchfish
- STFC [ST/G007462/1, ST/H00260X/1, PP/E001076/1] Funding Source: UKRI
Ask authors/readers for more resources
On 17 October 2008, Cassini observed for the first time the electron populations associated with the crossing of a Saturn kilometric radiation source region and its surroundings. These observations allow for the first time the constraint and quantification of the high-latitude acceleration processes, the current systems, and the origin of the low-frequency electromagnetic waves. Enhanced fluxes of field-aligned energetic electrons were measured by the Cassini electron plasma spectrometer in conjunction with unusual intense field-aligned current systems identified using the magnetometer instrument. In the region where downward field-aligned currents were measured, electron data show evidence of two types of upward accelerated electron beams: a broadband energetic (1-100 keV) electron population that is observed throughout the region and a narrow-banded (0.1-1 keV) electron population that is observed sporadically. In the regions where the magnetic field signatures showed evidence for upward field-aligned currents, we observe electron loss cone distributions and some evidence of shell-like distributions. Such nonthermal electron populations are commonly known as a potential free energy source to drive plasma instabilities. In the downward current region, the low-energy and energetic beams are likely the source of the very low frequency emissions. In the upward current region, the shell distribution is identified as a potential source for Saturn kilometric radiation generation via the cyclotron maser instability.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available