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Observation of similar radio signatures at Saturn and Jupiter: Implications for the magnetospheric dynamics
Author(s) -
Louarn P.,
Kurth W. S.,
Gurnett D. A.,
Hospodarsky G. B.,
Persoon A. M.,
Cecconi B.,
Lecacheux A.,
Zarka P.,
Canu P.,
Roux A.,
Rucker H. O.,
Farrell W. M.,
Kaiser M. L.,
Andre N.,
Harvey C.,
Blanc M.
Publication year - 2007
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 - 10.1029/2007gl030368
Subject(s) - jovian , magnetosphere , physics , magnetosphere of saturn , saturn , jupiter (rocket family) , astronomy , astrobiology , astrophysics , solar wind , narrowband , plasma , planet , geophysics , magnetopause , spacecraft , quantum mechanics , optics
We report on radio signatures observed at Saturn by the Cassini RPWS experiment which are strikingly similar to the Jovian “energetic events” observed by Galileo. They consist of sudden intensifications of the auroral radio emission (SKR) followed by the detection of a periodic narrowband radiation which most likely originates from Saturn's plasma disk. About ten “events” have been observed in 2006, showing on average temporal scales ∼3 times longer than their Jovian counterparts. We analyze the conditions of generation and the visibility of the narrowband radiation and conclude that the Kronian “events” are most likely associated with plasma evacuation from the disk. These observations provide new insights on the role of internal energy releases in Saturn's magnetosphere, known from other observations to be mainly driven by the solar wind.