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The ionosphere of Saturn as observed by the Cassini Radio Science System
Author(s) -
Kliore Arvydas J.,
Nagy Andrew,
Asmar Sami,
Anabtawi Aseel,
Barbinis Elias,
Fleischman Don,
Kahan Danny,
Klose John
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2014gl060512
Subject(s) - ionosphere , saturn , radio occultation , latitude , astronomy , astrobiology , physics , orbit (dynamics) , electron density , high latitude , spacecraft , radio science , occultation , geology , environmental science , atmospheric sciences , planet , electron , quantum mechanics , engineering , aerospace engineering
Fifty‐nine ionsopheric radio occultation observations of the vertical electron density profile in the Saturn ionosphere have been made since the Cassini spacecraft was inserted in orbit around Saturn in 2004. Significant orbit to orbit variations were observed, but the general trend noted in earlier orbits, namely, increasing electron densities with increasing latitude was reconfirmed and bolstered with this extended data base. This trend is likely to be due to some combination of increasing ionization rates and decreasing water influx with latitude.