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Magnetic field orientations in Saturn's upper ionosphere inferred from Voyager radio occultationsThe radio scintillations observed during occultations of Voyagers 1 and 2 by Saturn are analyzed to determine the morphology of plasma irregularities and hence the magnetic field orientation in Saturn's upper atmosphere. The measurement techniques, the weak scattering theory, and the method used to relate the observed radio scintillations to physical properties of the ionospheric irregularities are briefly described. Results on the spatial characteristics of the irregularities are presented, and the magnetic field orientation in Saturn's ionosphere is inferred. Although the occultation measurements generally confirm the accuracy of the Saturnian magnetic field model of Connerney et al. (1982), it is found that a small adjustment of the coefficients in that model's zonal harmonic expansion would remove the discrepancy between the model predictions and the measurements. A strategy for obtaining improved measurements of Saturn's magnetic field from radio occultation observations of scintillations and Faraday rotation using an orbiting spacecraft is briefly discussed.
Document ID
19840034521
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Hinson, D. P.
(Stanford University Stanford, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1984
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 89
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
84A17308
Funding Number(s)
OTHER: NGL-05-020-014
PROJECT: PROJECT VOYAGER
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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