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Science 25 January 1980:
Vol. 207. no. 4429, pp. 403 - 407
DOI: 10.1126/science.207.4429.403
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Articles

Preliminary Results on the Plasma Environment of Saturn from the Pioneer 11 Plasma Analyzer Experiment

J. H. WOLFE 1, J. D. MIHALOV 1, H. R. COLLARD 1, D. D. MCKIBBIN 1, L. A. FRANK 2, and D. S. INTRILIGATOR 3

1 Space Science Division, NASA/Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California 94035
2 Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52240
3 Physics Department, University of Southern California Los Angeles 90007

The Ames Research Center Pioneer 11 plasma analyzer experiment provided measurements of the solar wind interaction with Saturn and the character of the plasma environment within Saturn's magnetosphere. It is shown that Saturn has a detached bow shock wave and magnetopause quite similar to those at Earth and Jupiter. The scale size of the interaction region for Saturn is roughly one-third that at Jupiter, but Saturn's magnetosphere is equally responsive to changes in the solar wind dynamic pressure. Saturn's outer magnetosphere is inflated, as evidenced by the observation of large fluxes of corotating plasma. It is postulated that Saturn's magnetosphere may undergo a large expansion when the solar wind pressure is greatly diminished by the presence of Jupiter's extended magnetospheric tail when the two planets are approximately aligned along the same solar radial vector.

Submitted on December 3, 1979


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Radio and Plasma Wave Observations at Saturn from Cassini's Approach and First Orbit.
D. A. Gurnett, W. S. Kurth, G. B. Hospodarsky, A. M. Persoon, T. F. Averkamp, B. Cecconi, A. Lecacheux, P. Zarka, P. Canu, N. Cornilleau-Wehrlin, et al. (2005)
Science 307, 1255-1259
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Magnetic Field Studies by Voyager 2: Preliminary Results at Saturn.
N. F. Ness, N. F. NESS, M. H. ACUNA, K. W. BEHANNON, L. F. BURLAGA, J. E. P. CONNERNEY, R. P. LEPPING, and F. M. NEUBAUER (1982)
Science 215, 558-563
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Magnetic Field Studies by Voyager 1: Preliminary Results at Saturn.
N. F. Ness, N. F. NESS, M. H. ACUNA, R. P. LEPPING, J. E. P. CONNERNEY, K. W. BEHANNON, L. F. BURLAGA, and F. M. NEUBAUER (1981)
Science 212, 211-217
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Plasma Observations Near Saturn: Initial Results from Voyager 1.
H. S. BRIDGE, J. W. BELCHER, A. J. LAZARUS, S. OLBERT, J. D. SULLIVAN, F. BAGENAL, P. R. Gazis, R. E. HARTLE, K. W. OGILVIE, J. D. SCUDDER, et al. (1981)
Science 212, 217-224
   Abstract »    PDF »
Low-Energy Charged Particles in Saturn's Magnetosphere: Results from Voyager 1.
S. M. KRIMIGIS, T. P. ARMSTRONG, W. I. AXFORD, C. O. BOSTROM, G. GLOECKLER, E. P. KEATH, L. J. LANZEROTTI, J. F. CARBARY, D. C. HAMILTON, and E. C. ROELOF (1981)
Science 212, 225-231
   Abstract »    PDF »
Saturn's Magnetic Field and Magnetosphere.
E. J. SMITH, L. DAVIS JR., D. E. JONES, P. J. COLEMAN JR., D. S. COLBURN, P. DYAL, and C. P. SONETT (1980)
Science 207, 407-410
   Abstract »    PDF »
Saturn's Magnetosphere, Rings, and Inner Satellites.
J. A. VAN ALLEN, M. F. THOMSEN, B. A. RANDALL, R. L. RAIRDEN, and C. L. GROSSKREUTZ (1980)
Science 207, 415-421
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Observations of Energetic Ions and Electrons in Saturn's Magnetosphere.
J. H. TRAINOR, F. B. MCDONALD, and A. W. SCHARDT (1980)
Science 207, 421-425
   Abstract »    PDF »
Trapped Radiation Belts of Saturn: First Look.
W. FILLIUS, W. H. IP, and C. E. MCILWAIN (1980)
Science 207, 425-431
   Abstract »    PDF »


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