Extreme densities in Titan's ionosphere during the T85 magnetosheath encounter

We present Cassini Langmuir probe measurements of the highest electron number densities ever reported from the ionosphere of Titan. The measured density reached 4310 cm-3 during the T85 Titan flyby. This is at least 500 cm-3 higher than ever observed before and at least 50% above the average density...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Edberg, N.J.T., Andrews, D.J., Shebanits, O., Ågren, K., Wahlund, J.-E., Opgenoorth, H.J., Roussos, E., Garnier, P., Cravens, T.E., Badman, S.V., Modolo, R., Bertucci, C., Dougherty, M.K.
Formato: JOUR
Materias:
Cassini
ionization
ionosphere
magnetosheath
Titan
Coronal mass ejection
Electron number densities
Ionospheric electron densities
Langmuir probe measurements
Magnetosheaths
Solar zenith angle
Impact ionization
Ionization
Ionospheric measurement
Solar wind
Ionosphere
electron density
magnetopause
magnetosphere
planetary atmosphere
probe
Saturn
spacecraft
zenith angle
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12110/paper_00948276_v40_n12_p2879_Edberg
Aporte de:
Biblioteca Digital - Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (UBA) de Universidad de Buenos Aires
Descripción
Sumario:We present Cassini Langmuir probe measurements of the highest electron number densities ever reported from the ionosphere of Titan. The measured density reached 4310 cm-3 during the T85 Titan flyby. This is at least 500 cm-3 higher than ever observed before and at least 50% above the average density for similar solar zenith angles. The peak of the ionospheric density is not reached on this flyby, making the maximum measured density a lower limit. During this flyby, we also report that an impacting coronal mass ejection (CME) leaves Titan in the magnetosheath of Saturn, where it is exposed to shocked solar wind plasma for at least 2 h 45 min. We suggest that the solar wind plasma in the magnetosheath during the CME conditions significantly modifies Titan's ionosphere by an addition of particle impact ionization by precipitating protons. Key Points Titan is located in the magnetosheath of Saturn during the T85 flyby The highest ever ionospheric electron densities at Titan are found during T85 The magnetosheath encounter and the extreme densities are due to a CME impact ©2013. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.

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