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Periodic intensity variations in global ENA images of Saturn
Author(s) -
Paranicas C.,
Mitchell D. G.,
Roelof E. C.,
Brandt P. C.,
Williams D. J.,
Krimigis S. M.,
Mauk B. H.
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 - 10.1029/2005gl023656
Subject(s) - saturn , brightness , physics , signal (programming language) , astronomy , orbit (dynamics) , component (thermodynamics) , intensity (physics) , astrophysics , optics , planet , computer science , aerospace engineering , engineering , thermodynamics , programming language
During select time periods in orbit about Saturn, Cassini's Ion and Neutral Camera (INCA) has detected a periodic global ENA signal. Images taken during such periods reveal the presence of a rotating source component in addition to a steady‐state component; both components have peak brightness in the midnight sector, when viewed from near dawn. We present a model that synthesizes some of the basic features of the data and gives good agreement with the integrated signal. Both components, as well as the Compton‐Getting effect whose importance was previously unrecognized in ENA imaging, are needed to explain some aspects of the data.