Interpretation of Electrostatic Noise Observed by Voyager 1 in Titan's Wake.

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA173996 | Open PDF

Abstract:

During the Voyager 1 spacecraft flyby of Titan on November 12, 1980, an intense broadband low frequency electric field noise was observed in the inbound wake. This so-called sheath noise is believed to be generated by an ion beam-plasma interaction between the ions in the corotational Saturnian magnetospheric plasma and nearly stationary plasma created by the ionization of Titans atmosphere. The analysis is based on the information from Voyager 1 and reasonable assumptions. The results agree quite well with the observation. The analysis shows that the instabilityl only occurs where the density of the corotational ions is comparable to the density of ions originating from Titans atmosphere. The growth rate is high enough to generate the observed noise, and the calculated and observed frequency ranges are in good agreement.

Author(s):
Ma, T. Z. ; Gurnett, D. A.
Author Organization(s):
IOWA UNIV IOWA CITY DEPT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
Descriptive Note:
Progress rept.,
Pagination:
0044

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
U. OF IOWA-86-26
Contract/Grant Number(s):
N00014-85-K-0404
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_6.3.3_Spectrum Management; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_6.3_Net Management; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_3.2_Engagement; JCA_3_Force Application
Communities of Interest:
Weapons Technologies
Descriptor(s):
*NOISE(ELECTRICAL AND ELECTROMAGNETIC), *PLANETARY SATELLITES, INTERACTIONS, PLASMAS(PHYSICS), ELECTRIC FIELDS, ION BEAMS, RESONANCE, BROADBAND, SATURN(PLANET), ROTATION, LOW FREQUENCY, ATMOSPHERES, MOON, MAGNETOSPHERE, ION DENSITY, PLASMA WAVES, PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
Field(s)/Group(s):
Astrophysics
Keyword(s):
*TITAN(Satellite), Electrostatic Noise, Ion beam plasma interactions, Voyager 1 flyby, Sheath noise, Lunar atmospheres
Report Date:
1986 Jun 01