Open AccessSaturn's moon Titan contributes to periodicity in magnetosphere
Author(s) -
Balcerak Ernie
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1002/2013eo320022
Subject(s) - magnetosphere of saturn , titan (rocket family) , saturn , magnetosphere , physics , planet , magnetic field , astrobiology , astronomy , magnetopause , quantum mechanics
Saturn has been observed to have periodic radio emissions known as Saturn kilometric radiation (SKR) as well as periodicities in its plasma and magnetic fields. These periodicities have puzzled scientists because they would be expected if the planet's magnetic field were not aligned with its rotational axis, but Saturn's magnetic field and rotational axis are, in fact, closely aligned. The puzzle is further complicated by the fact that the Saturn kilometric radiation has slightly different periods in the northern and southern hemispheres and shows some variability in time.