Repository logo
  • Log In
    Log in via Symplectic to deposit your publication(s).
Repository logo
  • Communities & Collections
  • Research Outputs
  • Statistics
  • Log In
    Log in via Symplectic to deposit your publication(s).
  1. Home
  2. Faculty of Natural Sciences
  3. Physics
  4. Space and Atmospheric Physics
  5. Dawn-dusk asymmetry in energetic (>20 keV) particles adjacent to Saturn's magnetopause
 
  • Details
Dawn-dusk asymmetry in energetic (>20 keV) particles adjacent to Saturn's magnetopause
File(s)
2020JA028264.pdf (5.35 MB)
Published version
Author(s)
Liou, Kan
Paranicas, Chris
Vines, Sarah
Kollmann, Peter
Allen, Robert
more
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Energetic particles (>∼25 keV) have been observed routinely in the terrestrial magnetosheath, but have not been well studied at the magnetosheaths of the outer planets. Here we analyze energetic electrons and ions (mostly protons) in the vicinity (±1 RS) of Saturn's magnetopause, using particle data acquired with the low‐energy magnetosphere measurements system, one of the three sensors of the magnetosphere imaging instrument on board the Cassini spacecraft, during a period of ∼14 years (2004–2017). It is found that energetic particles, especially ions, are also common in Saturn's magnetosheath. A clear inward (toward Saturn) gradient in the electron differential flux is identified, suggestive of magnetospheric sources. Such an inward gradient does not appear in some of the ion channels. We conclude that Saturn's magnetopause acts as a porous barrier for energetic electrons and, to a lesser extent, for energetic ions. A dawn‐dusk asymmetry in the gradient of particle flux across the magnetopause is also identified, with a gradual decrease at the dawn and a sharp decrease at the dusk magnetopause. It is also found that magnetic reconnection enhanced flux levels just outside of the magnetopause, with evidence suggesting that these particles are from magnetospheric sources. These findings strongly suggest that Saturn's magnetosphere is most likely the main source of energetic particles in Saturn's magnetosheath and magnetosphere leakage is an important process responsible for the presence of the energetic particles in Saturn's magnetosheath.
Date Issued
2021-02-09
Date Acceptance
2020-12-03
Citation
Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 2021, 126 (2)
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/86101
DOI
https://www.dx.doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028264
ISSN
2169-9380
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Volume
126
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2020. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
Sponsor
The Royal Society
Grant Number
UF150547
Subjects
0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences
0401 Atmospheric Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
e2020JA028264
Date Publish Online
2020-12-20
About
Spiral Depositing with Spiral Publishing with Spiral Symplectic
Contact us
Open access team Report an issue
Other Services
Scholarly Communications Library Services
logo

Imperial College London

South Kensington Campus

London SW7 2AZ, UK

tel: +44 (0)20 7589 5111

Accessibility Modern slavery statement Cookie Policy

Built with DSpace-CRIS software - Extension maintained and optimized by 4Science

  • Cookie settings
  • Privacy policy
  • End User Agreement
  • Send Feedback