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Solar wind periodicity in energetic electrons at Saturn
Author(s) -
Carbary J. F.,
Roelof E. C.,
Mitchell D. G.,
Krimigis S. M.,
Krupp N.
Publication year - 2009
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 - 10.1029/2009gl041086
Subject(s) - magnetopause , magnetosphere , saturn , physics , solar wind , rotation period , magnetosphere of saturn , electron , atmospheric sciences , geophysics , astrophysics , planet , plasma , stars , quantum mechanics
Fluxes of energetic electrons (110–365 keV) have been subjected to a long‐term Lomb periodogram analysis from the middle of 2004 to the middle of 2009. Fluxes within 20 R S and outside the magnetopause were excluded, so only fluxes within the magnetosphere were included in the analysis. The periodicity “box” was expanded from 5 hours to 50 days. In addition to the familiar rotational period near 10.8 hours, the electron fluxes exhibited a strong periodicity near 26 days (the solar wind period) and also a weaker periodicity near 13 days (half the solar wind period). A simulated periodogram using a “rotating anomaly” as it would be seen from the Cassini orbit does not display 26‐day and 13‐day periods, so the solar wind periodicity cannot result from a possible orbital resonance. The long‐term electron periodogram does not show any periods associated with the periods of Saturn's moons.