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On the inference of properties of Saturn’s ring E from energetic charged particle observations
Author(s) -
Thomsen M. F.,
Van Allen J. A.
Publication year - 1979
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/gl006i011p00893
Subject(s) - saturn , rings of saturn , physics , van allen radiation belt , charged particle , diffusion , particle (ecology) , pitch angle , computational physics , proton , ring current , ion , atomic physics , nuclear physics , astrophysics , astronomy , planet , magnetosphere , plasma , geology , oceanography , quantum mechanics , thermodynamics
Assuming that Saturn has trapped radiation belts similar to those of Earth and Jupiterit is shown that observations of the radial dependence of the intensitiesenergy spectraelectron‐to‐proton intensity ratioand pitch angle distributions of energetic charged particles trapped outside of Ring A can potentially provide information (a) on the existence of Ring E(b) on the effective size of the particulate matter thereinand (c) on the magnitude of the radial diffusion coefficient for energetic particles. A parametric study of these possibilities is specialized to the characteristics of the University of Iowa detectors on Pioneer 11which will make a close encounter with Saturn in August‐September 1979.