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Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Observations at SaturnResults are presented from the Cassini radio and plasma wave instrument during the approach and first few orbits around Saturn. During the approach the intensity modulation of Saturn Kilometric Radiation (SKR) showed that the radio rotation period of Saturn has increased to 10 hr 45 min plus or minus 36 sec, about 6 min longer than measured by Voyager in 1980-81. Also, many intense impulsive radio signals called Saturn Electrostatic Discharges (SEDs) were detected from saturnian lightning, starting as far as 1.08 AU from Saturn, much farther than terrestrial lightning can be detected from Earth. Some of the SED episodes have been linked to cloud systems observed in Saturn s atmosphere by the Cassini imaging system. Within the magnetosphere plasma wave emissions have been used to construct an electron density profile through the inner region of the magnetosphere. With decreasing radial distance the electron density increases gradually to a peak of about 100 per cubic centimeter near the outer edge of the A ring, and then drops precipitously to values as low as .03 per cubic centimeter over the rings. Numerous nearly monochromatic whistler-mode emissions were observed as the spacecraft passed over the rings that are believed to be produced by meteoroid impacts on the rings. Whistlermode emissions, similar to terrestrial auroral hiss were also observed over the rings, indicating that an electrodynamic interaction, similar to auroral particle acceleration, may be occurring in or near the rings. During the Titan flybys Langmuir probe and plasma wave measurements provided observations of the density and temperature in Titan's ionosphere.
Document ID
20050169496
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Gurnett, D. A.
(Iowa Univ. Iowa City, IA, United States)
Kurth, W. S.
(Iowa Univ. Iowa City, IA, United States)
Hospodarsky, G. B.
(Iowa Univ. Iowa City, IA, United States)
Persoon, A. M.
(Iowa Univ. Iowa City, IA, United States)
Averkamp, T. F.
(Iowa Univ. Iowa City, IA, United States)
Ceccni, B.
(Iowa Univ. Iowa City, IA, United States)
Lecacheux, A.
(Observatoire de Paris-Meudon France)
Zarka, P.
(Observatoire de Paris-Meudon France)
Canu, P.
(Centre des Etudes Terrestraire et Planetaire Toulouse, France)
Cornilleau-Wehrlin, N.
(Centre des Etudes Terrestraire et Planetaire Toulouse, France)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2005
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVI, Part 7
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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