Search Publications
Analysis of a sequence of energetic ion and magnetic field events upstream from the Saturnian magnetosphere
Krupp, N.; Krimigis, S. M.; Mitchell, D. G. +5 more
The existence of energetic particle events to ∼200 RS upstream and ∼1300 RS downstream of Saturn was established during the Voyager 1, 2 flybys in 1980 and 1981, respectively. The origin of the events could not be determined with certainty because of lack of particle charge state and species measurements at lower (<300 keV…
Huygens HASI servo accelerometer: A review and lessons learned
Leese, M. R.; Hathi, B.; Zarnecki, J. C. +6 more
The servo accelerometer constituted a vital part of the Huygens Atmospheric Structure Instrument (HASI): flown aboard the Huygens probe, it operated successfully during the probe's entry, descent, and landing on Titan, on 14th January 2005. This paper reviews the Servo accelerometer, starting from its development/assembly in the mid-1990s, to moni…
Kinetic models for the exospheres of Jupiter and Saturn
Pierrard, V.
The exospheric theory based on the Kappa velocity distribution function (VDF) is used to model the exosphere of the giant planets Jupiter and Saturn. Such Kappa velocity distribution functions with an enhanced population of suprathermal particles are indeed often observed in space plasmas and in the space environment of the planets. The supratherm…
The unusual phase curve of Titan's surface observed by Huygens’ Descent Imager/Spectral Radiometer
Keller, H. U.; Schröder, S. E.
The Descent Imager/Spectral Radiometer onboard Huygens observed Titan's surface through the atmospheric methane windows [Tomasko, M.G., Doose, L., Engel, S., Dafoe, L.E., West, R., Lemmon, M., Karkoschka, E., See, C., 2008. A model of Titan's aerosols based on measurements made inside the atmosphere. Planet. Space Sci. 56, 669-707]. Infrared spect…
Impact of the plasma fluctuations in the Martian ionosphere on the performance of the synthetic aperture ground-penetrating radar
Ilyushin, Ya. A.
The effect of the ionospheric scintillations on the performance of the dekameter wave band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is considered. The numerical model for computer simulations, based on the multiple phase screen technique and accounting for diffraction, is formulated. The result of numerical simulations of the radar pulses is presented and a…
The Argentinean Patagonia and the Martian landscape
Pacifici, Andrea
Throughout the Cenozoic Era, the geological history of the Argentinean Patagonia was dominated by basaltic volcanism and glacial and periglacial environments. Several geological and geomorphological processes that concurred to the sculpting of the landscape of this area could have been similar to those responsible of the shaping of the Martian sur…
Spectral and thermodynamic constraints on the existence of gypsum at the Juventae Chasma on Mars
Kuzmin, R. O.; Evdokimova, N. A.; Mironenko, M. V.
The spectral imaging of the Mars obtained with the Mars Express/OMEGA experiment demonstrates that a majority of the sulfates-rich regions are associated with the interior light-toned layered deposits within the canyon system in the equatorial zone of the planet. While all sulfates-rich deposits inside the canyons are characterized by the presence…
Statistical analysis of the observations of the MEX/ASPERA-3 NPI in the shadow
Kallio, E.; Barabash, S.; Lundin, R. +17 more
The analyser of space plasma and energetic atoms (ASPERA-3) neutral particle imager (NPI) on board Mars Express (MEX) is devoted to energetic neutral atom (ENA) detection within the Martian environment. These ENAs originate from the interaction between the energetic ions flowing inside the Martian environment and the exospheric neutral gas, thus p…
Comparing methane and temperature profiles on Titan in 1980 and 2005
Fulchignoni, M.; Ferri, F.; Griffith, C. A. +1 more
The Huygens Probe data provided a direct measurement of CH 4, temperature, and pressure in Titan's atmosphere. This data can be used to compare to the Voyager data in which the effects of CH 4, temperature, and pressure were mixed together. Comparison with Huygens data indicates that values of the surface relative humidity of…
On the possibility of ion-acoustic instability in Titan's ionosphere
Shukla, P. K.; Rosenberg, M.
Heavy negatively charged ions have recently been detected at relatively high altitudes in the ionosphere of Titan, and it has been suggested that perhaps they are supported by electric fields. In this short communication, we discuss the possibility of ion-acoustic instability in this environment.