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Global MHD simulations of Saturn's magnetosphere at the time of Cassini approach
Author(s) -
Hansen K. C.,
Ridley A. J.,
Hospodarsky G. B.,
Achilleos N.,
Dougherty M. K.,
Gombosi T. I.,
Tóth G.
Publication year - 2005
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 - 10.1029/2005gl022835
Subject(s) - magnetosphere of saturn , magnetopause , magnetosphere , physics , bow shock (aerodynamics) , saturn , magnetosheath , magnetosphere of jupiter , solar wind , titan (rocket family) , astrobiology , geophysics , enceladus , magnetohydrodynamics , planet , astronomy , astrophysics , plasma , shock wave , mechanics , quantum mechanics
We present the results of a 3D global magnetohydrodynamic simulation of the magnetosphere of Saturn for the period of Cassini's initial approach and entry into the magnetosphere. We compare calculated bow shock and magnetopause locations with the Cassini measurements. In order to match the measured locations we use a substantial mass source due to the icy satellites (∼1 × 10 28 s −1 of water product ions). We find that the location of bow shock and magnetopause crossings are consistent with previous spacecraft measurements, although Cassini encountered the surfaces further from Saturn than the previously determined average location. In addition, we find that the shape of the model bow shock and magnetopause have smaller flaring angles than previous models and are asymmetric dawn‐to‐dusk. Finally, we find that tilt of Saturn's dipole and rotation axes results in asymmetries in the bow shock and magnetopause and in the magnetotail being hinged near Titan's orbit (∼20 R S ).