Direct evidence of differences in magnetic rotation rate between Saturn's northern and southern polar regions

Abstract

The discovery of a difference in apparent rotation rate between Saturn kilometric radio emission from northern and southern hemispheres leads immediately to the question of whether there is a counterpart detectable in the Saturnian magnetic field. We report direct detection of a difference in the rotating magnetic signal measured by the Cassini spacecraft magnetometer consistent with that seen in the radio signals. Theoretical consequences of the direct detection are discussed.