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A new model for plasma transport and chemistry at SaturnA model of plasma transport and chemistry is described which calculates the evolution of a plasma population in latitude and radial distance. This model is applied to the magnetosphere of Saturn, where it is used to fit the density profile of the heavy ions assuming both satellite and ring sources of plasma. Use of an extended source region is found to significantly alter the resulting plasma profile. Water ions cannot fit the observed density profile inside L = 6 even with a large ring source. Oxygen ions can fit the density profile throughout the region inside L = 12 given a suitable profile of neutral hydrogen; a suitable profile contains up to 5 H/cu cm outside L = 4 with the number increasing inside this. Preferred values of K are 1-3 x 10 exp -10 R(S)2/s, but any value K less than 10 exp -9 R(S)2/s can be accommodated. The temperature profile is shown to favor models invoking in situ plasma formation and loss as opposed to models where transport is important.
Document ID
19920072482
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Richardson, John D.
(MIT Cambridge, MA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
September 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 97
Issue: A9 S
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
92A55106
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: JPL-957781
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1622
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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