Premium
The spokes in Saturn's rings: A new approach
Author(s) -
Carbary J. F.,
Bythrow P. F.,
Mitchell D. G.
Publication year - 1982
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/gl009i004p00420
Subject(s) - saturn , ionosphere , physics , atmosphere (unit) , ring current , current (fluid) , rings of saturn , geophysics , atmospheric sciences , astrobiology , magnetosphere , astronomy , environmental science , meteorology , planet , magnetic field , quantum mechanics , thermodynamics
We propose that zonal winds in Saturn’s atmosphere cause superrotation of the ionosphere and by virtue of field‐aligned currents generate a potential of ∼ 16 kV across the B‐ring. Such a potential can momentarily polarize ∼ 1‐10µm size ice particles in a radial sense and thus create the spectacular spokes. A resulting current flowing radially through the B‐ring would give rise to a power of ∼ 10 7 W, which is close to that dissipated in an SED burst.