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If you've seen one magnetosphere, you haven't seen them all - Energetic particle observations in the Saturn magnetosphereThe present paper deals with a study of Saturn's magnetosphere, using data of the Pioneer 11 Cosmic ray experiment. At the orbit of Saturn, the nominal energy density of the interplanetary magnetic field and of the solar wind has decreased by 2 orders of magnitude over their value at 1 AU. The Pioneer inbound trajectory near the noon meridian and the outbound trajectory toward the dawn meridian reveal a magnetosphere which is in many aspects similar to that of the earth, but has important differences due to the imprint of Saturn's moons and rings. The magnetotail and polar regions were not observed. However, the presence of solar cosmic rays offers strong evidence for an open magnetotail configuration. The detection of energetic particles at Saturn means that 4 of the 6 planets inside 10 AU possess stable magnetospheres.
Document ID
19810030260
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Mcdonald, F. B.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Schardt, A. W.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Trainor, J. H.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics, Greenbelt, Md., United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1980
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 85
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
81A14664
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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