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Modeling, Analysis, and Interpretation of Photoelectron Energy Spectra at Enceladus Observed by Cassini
Author(s) -
Taylor S. A.,
Coates A. J.,
Jones G. H.,
Wellbrock A.,
Fazakerley A. N.,
Desai R. T.,
CaroCarretero R.,
Michiko M. W.,
Schippers P.,
Waite J. H.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-9402
pISSN - 2169-9380
DOI - 10.1002/2017ja024536
Subject(s) - enceladus , physics , photoelectric effect , spectral line , electron , plume , electron spectrometer , saturn , astronomy , spacecraft , astrophysics , atomic physics , astrobiology , optics , planet , meteorology , cathode ray , quantum mechanics
The Electron Spectrometer (ELS) of the Cassini Plasma Spectrometer has observed photoelectrons produced in the plume of Enceladus. These photoelectrons are observed during Enceladus encounters in the energetic particle shadow where the spacecraft is largely shielded from penetrating radiation by the moon. We present a complex electron spectrum at Enceladus including evidence of two previously unidentified electron populations at 6–10 eV and 10–16 eV. We estimate that the proportion of “hot” (>15 eV) to “cold” (<15 eV) electrons during the Enceladus flybys is ≈ 0.1–0.5%. We have constructed a model of photoelectron production in the plume and compared it with ELS Enceladus flyby data by scaling and energy shifting according to spacecraft potential. We suggest that the complex structure of the electron spectrum observed can be explained entirely by photoelectron production in the plume ionosphere.