Search Publications
Cluster observations of EMIC triggered emissions in association with Pc1 waves near Earth's plasmapause
Pickett, J. S.; Dandouras, I.; Santolík, O. +8 more
The Cluster spacecraft were favorably positioned on the nightside near the equatorial plasmapause of Earth at L ∼ 4.3 on 30 March 2002 to observe electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) rising tone emissions in association with Pc1 waves at 1.5 Hz. The EMIC rising tone emissions were found to be left-hand, circularly polarized, dispersive, and propag…
First observation of a mini-magnetosphere above a lunar magnetic anomaly using energetic neutral atoms
Barabash, Stas; Holmström, Mats; Futaana, Yoshifumi +7 more
The Sub-keV Atom Reflecting Analyzer (SARA) instrument on the Indian Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft has produced for the first time an image of a lunar magnetic anomaly in backscattered hydrogen atoms. The image shows that a partial void of the solar wind, a mini-magnetosphere, is formed above the strong magnetic anomaly near the Crisium antipode. The m…
Pumping out the atmosphere of Mars through solar wind pressure pulses
Barabash, S.; Futaana, Y.; Fränz, M. +6 more
We study atmospheric escape from Mars during solar wind pressure pulses. During the solar minimum of 2007-08 we have observed 41 high pressure events, which are predominantly identified as corotating interaction regions (CIR) while a few are coronal mass ejections (CME), in data from the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) upstream of the Earth. 3…
Evolution of Titan's rocky core constrained by Cassini observations
Lunine, Jonathan I.; Castillo-Rogez, Julie C.
We model the thermal evolution of Titan's core and search for solutions that are consistent with the mean moment of inertia yielded by the Cassini-Huygens Mission. Like previous studies we assume that Titan's core is enriched in hydrated silicates. However, our modeling accounts for the possible dehydration of these minerals. The resulting models …
Properties of Saturn kilometric radiation measured within its source region
Schippers, P.; André, N.; Gurnett, D. A. +9 more
On 17 October 2008, the Cassini spacecraft crossed the southern sources of Saturn kilometric radiation (SKR), while flying along high-latitude nightside magnetic field lines. In situ measurements allowed us to characterize for the first time the source region of an extra-terrestrial auroral radio emission. Using radio, magnetic field and particle …
Saturn's internal planetary magnetic field
Russell, C. T.; Dougherty, M. K.; Burton, M. E.
A model of Saturn's internal planetary magnetic field based on data from the Cassini prime mission has been derived. In the absence of a determination of the rotation rate, the model is constrained to be axisymmetric. Non-axisymmetric models for a range of plausible planetary rotation periods have also been derived and we evaluate upper limits on …
Hemispheric asymmetry of the magnetic field wrapping pattern in the Venusian magnetotail
Kallio, E.; Luhmann, J. G.; Russell, C. T. +7 more
We examine statistically the magnetic field in the Venusian magnetotail which is formed by the draping of interplanetary magnetic field lines. Although the near-planet and distant magnetotail regions have been sampled by the various missions to Venus and the general magnetic features of the distant magnetotail are well established, the near wake r…
Near-tropical subsurface ice on Mars
Bibring, Jean-Pierre; Mustard, John; Forget, François +4 more
Near-surface perennial water ice on Mars has been previously inferred down to latitudes of about 45° and could result from either water vapor diffusion through the regolith under current conditions or previous ice ages precipitations. In this paper we show that at latitudes as low as 25° in the southern hemisphere buried water ice in the shallow (…
Evidence for present day gully activity on the Russell crater dune field, Mars
Hiesinger, H.; Erkeling, G.; Reiss, D. +1 more
On the basis of High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) images of two successive years we observed changes of a gully on the Russell crater dune field. Within the first year the length of a ∼2 m wide incised gully channel grew about 50 m downslope, and ∼120 m within in the second year. Gully activity occurred in early spring between L<…
Precise mass determination and the nature of Phobos
Pätzold, M.; Rosenblatt, P.; Häusler, B. +4 more
We report independent results from two subgroups of the Mars Express Radio Science (MaRS) team who independently analyzed Mars Express (MEX) radio tracking data for the purpose of determining consistently the gravitational attraction of the moon Phobos on the MEX spacecraft, and hence the mass of Phobos. New values for the gravitational parameter …