Abstract
Comparative Planetary Science
A new source for Saturn’s electron radiation belt inside Enceladus?
Emma E Woodfield
R. B. Horne (British Antarctic Survey), S. A. Glauert (British Antarctic Survey), J. D. Menietti (University of Iowa), and Y. Y. Shprits (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
British Antarctic Survey
Saturn, along with many of the planets in the Solar System, has hazardous regions of high energy particles that are trapped by the planetary magnetic field to form toroidal shaped radiation belts around the planet. The source of the high energy electrons that form the electron radiation belts at Saturn has traditionally been assumed to be a combination of Cosmic Ray Albedo Neutron Decay (CRAND) and radial diffusion. We propose a new source of significant, local electron acceleration active primarily inside the orbit of Enceladus through the cyclotron resonant interaction of electrons with Zmode electromagnetic waves. A recent survey has shown these waves to be strong and often present between 2.5 to 4 Rs; we use these data in the BAS Radiation Belt model to show how Zmode waves at Saturn could be responsible for rapid acceleration of electrons in this region.
Schedule
Monday
13:30 - 15:00
14:40
EX - LT3 (320)

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