Variation of Saturn's UV aurora with SKR phase

Nichols, J. D. and Cecconi, B. and Clarke, J. T. and Cowley, S. W. H. and Gérard, J.-c. and Grocott, A. and Grodent, D. and Lamy, L. and Zarka, P. (2010) Variation of Saturn's UV aurora with SKR phase. Geophysical Research Letters, 37 (15): L15102. ISSN 0094-8276

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Abstract

It is well known that a wide range of kronian magnetospheric phenomena, including the Saturn kilometric radiation (SKR), exhibit oscillations near the planetary rotation period. However, although the SKR is believed to be generated by unstable auroral electrons, no connection has been established to date between diurnal SKR modulations and UV auroral power. We use an empirical SKR phase determined from Cassini observations to order the ‘quiet time’ total emitted UV auroral power as observed by the Hubble Space Telescope in programs during the interval 2005–2009. Our results indicate that both the northern and southern UV powers are dependent on SKR phase, varying diurnally by factors of ∼3. We also show that the UV variation originates principally from the morning half of the oval, consistent with previous observations of the SKR sources.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Geophysical Research Letters
Additional Information:
Copyright 2010 by the American Geophysical Union.
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1900/1908
Subjects:
?? saturnauroraradiorotationmagnetospheregeophysicsearth and planetary sciences(all) ??
ID Code:
67068
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
10 Oct 2013 09:18
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
07 Mar 2024 00:32