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Understanding Cassini RPWS Antenna Signals Triggered by Dust Impacts
Author(s) -
Ye S.Y.,
Vaverka J.,
Nouzak L.,
Sternovsky Z.,
Zaslavsky A.,
Pavlu J.,
Mann I.,
Hsu H.W.,
Averkamp T. F.,
Sulaiman A. H.,
Pisa D.,
Hospodarsky G. B.,
Kurth W. S.,
Horanyi M.
Publication year - 2019
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 - 10.1029/2019gl084150
Subject(s) - spacecraft , spacecraft charging , saturn , antenna (radio) , plasma , signal (programming language) , waves in plasmas , physics , electron , radio frequency , aerospace engineering , capacitance , amplitude , astrobiology , environmental science , astronomy , computer science , optics , telecommunications , planet , engineering , electrode , quantum mechanics , programming language
Electric field antennas are capable of detecting dust impacts in different space environment. We analyze the dust impact signals detected by the Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Science instrument at different locations around Saturn and compare them with dust impact signals simulated in laboratory conditions and numerically. The spacecraft potential, the size, and capacitance of the impacted element and ambient plasma have a strong effect on the amplitude and the shape of impact signals, providing important clues to understanding the signal generation mechanism. The voltage signal on the antenna is due to the separation of the impact generated charges, which occurs as electrons and ions can either escape (at different speeds) or be collected by the impacted element depending on the spacecraft potential.