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The Triton torus revisitedPrior to the Voyager encounter with Neptune, Delitsky et al. (1989) predicted that a torus of ions emanating from Triton would be discovered. These predictions are reexamined in light of the Voyager results. Sputtering of Triton's atmosphere can produce the heavy ion densities inferred at Triton's orbit by the Voyager plasma experiment if the ion residence time is about 30 days. The torus is found to be longitudinally asymmetric near Triton, with peak densities at longitudes of 170 and 350 deg. The total nitrogen flux due to sputtering is about 2 x 10 to the 21st/s. The consequences of larger escape fluxes of both N2 and H2 are investigated; it is difficult to reconcile large escape fluxes with the plasma and ultraviolet spectrometer observations.
Document ID
19900065481
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Richardson, John D.
(MIT Cambridge, MA, United States)
Eviatar, A.
(California, University Los Angeles; Tel Aviv University, Israel)
Delitsky, M. L.
(JPL Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
September 1, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 17
ISSN: 0094-8276
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
90A52536
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: JPL-953733
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-87
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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