Open AccessL shell distribution of energetic electrons at Saturn
Author(s) -
Carbary J. F.,
Mitchell D. G.,
Krupp N.,
Krimigis S. M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2009ja014341
Subject(s) - saturn , physics , noon , electron , longitude , shell (structure) , azimuth , pitch angle , local time , van allen radiation belt , l shell , astrophysics , atomic physics , astronomy , magnetosphere , latitude , magnetic field , planet , nuclear physics , materials science , earth's magnetic field , statistics , mathematics , quantum mechanics , composite material
Energetic electron fluxes (110–485 keV) observed by the MIMI/LEMMS instrument on the Cassini mission to Saturn were averaged into azimuthal bins and L shell bins for the period from day 150 2004 to day 366 2008. In local time, the electrons fluxes maximize on the night side between the Mimas and Rhea L shells and have a minimum near noon. This local time behavior may be a result of nightside injection combined with subcorotational drift in a nondipolar field. In SLS longitude, the electrons are smoothly distributed, showing no signs of spiral patterns on this multiyear timescale. The lower energy electrons (110–365 keV) form an inner belt near the Mimas L shell and an outer belt between the Dione and Rhea L shells.