Abstract
During Cassini's initial orbit, we observed a dynamic magnetosphere composed primarily of a complex mixture of water-derived atomic and molecular ions. We have identified four distinct regions characterized by differences in both bulk plasma properties and ion composition. Protons are the dominant species outside about 9 RS (where RS is the radial distance from the center of Saturn), whereas inside, the plasma consists primarily of a corotating comet-like mix of water-derived ions with approximately 3% N+. Over the A and B rings, we found an ionosphere in which O2+ and O+ are dominant, which suggests the possible existence of a layer of O2 gas similar to the atmospheres of Europa and Ganymede.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1262-1266 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Science |
Volume | 307 |
Issue number | 5713 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 25 Feb 2005 |
Keywords
- Atmosphere
- Extraterrestrial Environment
- Hydrogen
- Ice
- Ions
- Magnetics
- Oxygen
- Protons
- Saturn
- Spacecraft
- Spectrum Analysis