Artículo
Structured ionospheric outflow during the Cassini T55–T59 Titan flybys
Edberg, N. J. T.; Ågren, K.; Wahlund, J. E.; Morooka, M. W.; Andrews, D. J.; Cowley, S. W. H.; Wellbrock, A.; Coates, A. J.; Bertucci, Cesar
; Dougherty, M. K.
Fecha de publicación:
06/2011
Editorial:
Elsevier
Revista:
Planetary and Space Science
ISSN:
0032-0633
Idioma:
Inglés
Tipo de recurso:
Artículo publicado
Clasificación temática:
Resumen
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 cm3 ) 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 Alfve´n waves.
Palabras clave:
Cassini
,
Titan
,
Atmospheric Escape
,
Ionosphere
Archivos asociados
Licencia
Identificadores
Colecciones
Articulos(IAFE)
Articulos de INST.DE ASTRONOMIA Y FISICA DEL ESPACIO(I)
Articulos de INST.DE ASTRONOMIA Y FISICA DEL ESPACIO(I)
Citación
Edberg, N. J. T.; Ågren, K.; Wahlund, J. E.; Morooka, M. W.; Andrews, D. J.; et al.; Structured ionospheric outflow during the Cassini T55–T59 Titan flybys; Elsevier; Planetary and Space Science; 59; 8; 6-2011; 788-797
Compartir
Altmétricas