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Ionospheric electrons in Titan's tail: Plasma structure during the Cassini T9 encounter
Author(s) -
Coates A. J.,
Crary F. J.,
Young D. T.,
Szego K.,
Arridge C. S.,
Bebesi Z.,
Sittler E. C.,
Hartle R. E.,
Hill T. W.
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 - 10.1029/2007gl030919
Subject(s) - ionosphere , physics , plasma , titan (rocket family) , ambipolar diffusion , magnetosphere , electron , computational physics , wake , astrophysical plasma , atomic physics , geophysics , astronomy , mechanics , nuclear physics
We present results from the CAPS electron spectrometer obtained during the downstream flyby of Titan on 26 December 2005, which occurred during a period of enhanced plasma pressure inside the magnetosphere. The electron data show an unusual split signature with two principal intervals of interest outside the nominal corotation wake. Interval 1 shows direct evidence for ionospheric plasma escape at several R T in Titan's tail. Interval 2 shows a complex plasma structure, a mix between plasma of ionospheric and magnetospheric origin. We suggest a mechanism for plasma escape based on ambipolar electric fields set up by suprathermal ionospheric photoelectrons.