The magnetic field and magnetospheric configuration of UranusA significant and unique planetary magnetic field discovered by Voyager 2 is presented. A large tilt of 58.6 deg of the magnetic-dipole axis from the rotation axis was found. Combined with a large offset of 0.3 RU of the magnetic dipole from the center of the planet, the moment of 0.23 gauss-RU3 leads to field magnitudes at the surface which vary widely between 0.1 and 1.0 gauss. A simple diagram illustrating the offset tilted dipole of Uranus and some field lines is shown. A more exact and accurate spherical-harmonic model of the planetary field, which includes both dipole and quadrupole moments, is derived. There exists a well-developed bipolar magnetic tail on the night side of the planet which rotates daily about the extended planet-sunline with Uranus because of the large obliquity of the Uranian rotation axis.
Document ID
19920036094
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Ness, Norman F. (Delaware, University Newark, United States)
Connerney, John E. P. (Delaware Univ. Newark, DE, United States)
Lepping, Ronald P. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Schulz, Michael (Aerospace Corp. El Segundo, CA, United States)
Voigt, Gerd-Hannes (Rice University Houston, TX, United States)