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The Statistical Morphology of Saturn’s Equatorial Energetic Neutral Atom Emission
Author(s) -
Kinrade J.,
Bader A.,
Badman S. V.,
Paranicas C.,
Mitchell D. G.,
Constable D.,
Arridge C. S.,
Cowley S. W. H.,
Provan G.
Publication year - 2021
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 - 10.1029/2020gl091595
Subject(s) - saturn , energetic neutral atom , magnetosphere , physics , magnetosphere of saturn , enceladus , jupiter (rocket family) , astronomy , noon , solar wind , plasma , planet , jovian , astrophysics , astrobiology , magnetopause , space shuttle , quantum mechanics
Saturn’s magnetosphere is an efficient emitter of energetic neutral atoms (ENAs), created through charge exchange of energetic ions with the extended neutral cloud originating from the icy moon Enceladus. We present an analysis using the complete image set captured by Cassini’s Ion Neutral Camera to characterize Saturn’s average ENA morphology. Concentric tori are formed around the planet by oxygen and hydrogen ENAs, with intensity peaks between 7 and 10 R S radial distance, with a ∼1–2 R S dayside offset. Nightside intensity is brighter than the dayside, likely the result of enhancements following large‐scale plasma injections from the magnetotail, and influence of the noon‐midnight electric field. Global intensity is clearly modulated with the near‐planetary rotation period. This Cassini‐era profile of Saturn’s ENA emission advances our understanding of how volcanic moons can influence plasma dynamics in giant magnetospheres and is timely ahead of the planned JUICE mission, which carries the first dedicated ENA detector to Jupiter.