The Enceladus satellite as a source of N+ ions in Saturn's magnetosphere

The first pass of the Cassini probe in the vicinity of Saturn, above the E- ring, demonstrated a plasma consisting of water group ions (H+, O+, OH+, H2O+) with a small N+ ion component (3%). Using a simple model for the transport of magnetospheric ions, we show that the N+ ions can be traced back to...

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Published inComptes rendus. Physique Vol. 6; no. 10; pp. 1176 - 1181
Main Authors Bouhram, Mehdi, Berthelier, Jean-Jacques, Illiano, Jean-Marie, Smith, Howard T, Sittler, Edward C, Crary, Frank J, Young, Dave T
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
French
Published 01.01.2005
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Summary:The first pass of the Cassini probe in the vicinity of Saturn, above the E- ring, demonstrated a plasma consisting of water group ions (H+, O+, OH+, H2O+) with a small N+ ion component (3%). Using a simple model for the transport of magnetospheric ions, we show that the N+ ions can be traced back to the Enceladus satellite. Such a result can be explained by the existence in this icy satellite, supposed to be still geologically active, of volatile components such as ammonia NH3, or by the previous implantation of N+ ions of external origin on its surface. To cite this article: M. Bouhram et al., C. R. Physique 6 (2005).
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ISSN:1631-0705
DOI:10.1016/j.crhy.2005.12.008