Energetic electron pitch angle distributions during the Cassini final orbits
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Pitch angle distributions (PADs) of very energetic electrons (110–365 keV) are examined during the ring‐grazing and proximal orbits of the Cassini spacecraft, from day 320 2016 (15 November) to day 257 2017 (14 September). These repeating orbits allowed a statistical evaluation of the PADs within the magnetopause on the nightside of Saturn. Along L‐shells (i.e., equatorial crossing distances of magnetic field lines) near and outside that of Titan and north of the equator, the electron fluxes were unidirectionally field‐aligned going away from Saturn. Along L‐shells inside Titan's and south of the equator, the electrons had bidirectional or pancake (trapping) PADs. This behavior suggests that the field lines within Titan's L‐shell are generally closed, while those outside of that L‐shell are generally open. This result strictly applies only to the nightside local times sampled during the final Cassini orbits, but one may infer a similar behavior at other times.
Date Issued
2018-04-16
Date Acceptance
2018-03-20
Citation
Geophysical Research Letters, 2018, 45 (7), pp.2911-2917
ISSN
0094-8276
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
Start Page
2911
End Page
2917
Journal / Book Title
Geophysical Research Letters
Volume
45
Issue
7
Copyright Statement
©2018. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000435743400004&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Geology
SATURNS
MAGNETOSPHERE
BEAMS
PARTICLES
REGION
PLASMA
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2018-03-26