Geometry of Saturn's magnetopause model

Maurice, S.; Engle, Irene M.; Blanc, Michel; Skubis, Mark D.

doi:10.1029/96ja02605

Cited by 22 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…As these observations were made over a period of 4 days on different trajectories but in similar regions of space, it is suggested that they could be related to a cusp region similar to that suggested by the modeling work of Maurice et al [1996]. McAndrews et al [2008] observed magnetic field and plasma signatures suggestive of reconnection events at Saturn and found evidence of plasma energization as a result.…”

Section: 1002/2014ja019774mentioning

confidence: 90%

Polar confinement of Saturn's magnetosphere revealed by in situ Cassini observations

et al. 2014

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Plasma rotation plays a large role in determining the size and shape of Saturn's disk-like magnetosphere. A magnetosphere more confined to the equator in the polar regions is expected as a result of the interaction between this type of obstacle and the solar wind. In addition, at times away from equinox, a north-south asymmetry is expected where the magnetopause will be further confined in one hemisphere but less confined in the opposite hemisphere. Examining the extent of this confinement has been limited by a lack of high-latitude spacecraft observations. Here for the first time, direct evidence for polar confinement of Saturn's magnetopause has been observed using in situ data obtained by the Cassini spacecraft during a series of high-inclination orbits between 2007 and 2009. Following techniques established by previous authors, we assume an equilibrium between the solar wind dynamic pressure (which Cassini is generally unable to measure directly), and the magnetic plus plasma pressure inside the magnetosphere. This assumption thus allows us to estimate the upstream solar wind dynamic pressure (D P ) for a series of magnetopause crossings, and hence to determine the expected location and global shape of the magnetopause as a function of D P . A clear divergence from the familiar axisymmetric models of the magnetosphere is observed, which may be characterized by an "apparent flattening parameter" of 0.81+0.03/−0.06 (representing a simple dilation of the nominal axisymmetric boundary along the Z KSM axis such that the extent is reduced by approximately 19% in this direction). This figure is insensitive to variations in D P .

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Section: 1002/2014ja019774mentioning

confidence: 90%

Polar confinement of Saturn's magnetosphere revealed by in situ Cassini observations

et al. 2014

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“…The pre-Cassini empirical magnetopause models were based on Pioneer and Voyager encounter data (Slavin et al 1983(Slavin et al , 1985 and magnetic field models (Maurice et al 1996a). The empirical modeling work revealed a symmetric magnetopause with hyperbolic shocklike geometry.…”

Section: Magnetopause Structure and Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mapping Magnetospheric Equatorial Regions at Saturn from Cassini Prime Mission Observations

et al. 2011

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“…The nose of the magnetopause was located at 19.7 R S . Maurice et al (1996), based on the work of Maurice and Engle (1995), presented an idealized 3-D model of Saturn's magnetopause. The magnetopause shape was applied to Pioneer 11 and Voyagers observations.…”

Section: Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Definition of Saturn's magnetospheric model parameters for the Pioneer 11 flyby

Alexeev¹,

Калегаев²,

Blokhina³

2006

Ann. Geophys.

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Abstract. This paper presents a description of a method for selection parameters for a global paraboloid model of Saturn's magnetosphere. The model is based on the preexisting paraboloid terrestrial and Jovian models of the magnetospheric field. Interaction of the solar wind with the magnetosphere, i.e. the magnetotail current system, and the magnetopause currents screening all magnetospheric field sources, is taken into account. The input model parameters are determined from observations of the Pioneer 11 inbound flyby.

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Geometry of Saturn's magnetopause model

Cited by 22 publications

References 17 publications

Polar confinement of Saturn's magnetosphere revealed by in situ Cassini observations

Polar confinement of Saturn's magnetosphere revealed by in situ Cassini observations

Mapping Magnetospheric Equatorial Regions at Saturn from Cassini Prime Mission Observations

Definition of Saturn's magnetospheric model parameters for the Pioneer 11 flyby

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