Cusp observation at Saturn's high-latitude magnetosphere by the Cassini spacecraft
File(s)
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We report on the first analysis of magnetospheric cusp observations at Saturn by multiple in
situ instruments onboard the Cassini spacecraft. Using this we infer the process of reconnection was
occurring at Saturn’s magnetopause. This agrees with remote observations that showed the associated
auroral signatures of reconnection. Cassini crossed the northern cusp around noon local time along a
poleward trajectory. The spacecraft observed ion energy-latitude dispersions—a characteristic signature of
the terrestrial cusp. This ion dispersion is “stepped,” which shows that the reconnection is pulsed. The ion
energy-pitch angle dispersions suggest that the field-aligned distance from the cusp to the reconnection
site varies between ∼27 and 51 RS. An intensification of lower frequencies of the Saturn kilometric
radiation emissions suggests the prior arrival of a solar wind shock front, compressing the magnetosphere
and providing more favorable conditions for magnetopause reconnection.
situ instruments onboard the Cassini spacecraft. Using this we infer the process of reconnection was
occurring at Saturn’s magnetopause. This agrees with remote observations that showed the associated
auroral signatures of reconnection. Cassini crossed the northern cusp around noon local time along a
poleward trajectory. The spacecraft observed ion energy-latitude dispersions—a characteristic signature of
the terrestrial cusp. This ion dispersion is “stepped,” which shows that the reconnection is pulsed. The ion
energy-pitch angle dispersions suggest that the field-aligned distance from the cusp to the reconnection
site varies between ∼27 and 51 RS. An intensification of lower frequencies of the Saturn kilometric
radiation emissions suggests the prior arrival of a solar wind shock front, compressing the magnetosphere
and providing more favorable conditions for magnetopause reconnection.
Date Issued
2014-03-16
Date Acceptance
2014-02-13
Citation
Geophysical Research Letters, 2014, 41 (5), pp.1382-1388
ISSN
1944-8007
Publisher
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Start Page
1382
End Page
1388
Journal / Book Title
Geophysical Research Letters
Volume
41
Issue
5
Copyright Statement
©2014. The Authors. This is an open access article under
the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs
License, which permits use and distribution
in any medium, provided
the original work is properly cited,
the use is non-commercial and no
modifications or adaptations are made
the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs
License, which permits use and distribution
in any medium, provided
the original work is properly cited,
the use is non-commercial and no
modifications or adaptations are made
License URL
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Geology
GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY
cusp
reconnection
plasma
dispersion
Cassini
SOLAR-WIND
KILOMETRIC RADIATION
POLAR CUSP
MAGNETOPAUSE
RECONNECTION
DYNAMICS
ROTATION
Publication Status
Published