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A combined model of pressure variations in Titan's plasma environment

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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>28/12/2014
<mark>Journal</mark>Geophysical Research Letters
Issue number24
Volume41
Number of pages6
Pages (from-to)8730-8735
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

In order to analyze varying plasma conditions upstream of Titan, we have combined a physical model of Saturn's plasma disk with a geometrical model of the oscillating current sheet. During modeled oscillation phases where Titan is farthest from the current sheet, the main sources of plasma pressure in the near-Titan space are the magnetic pressure and, for disturbed conditions, the hot plasma pressure. When Titan is at the center of the sheet, the main sources are the dynamic pressure associated with Saturn's cold, subcorotating plasma and the hot plasma pressure under disturbed conditions. Total pressure at Titan (dynamic plus thermal plus magnetic) typically increases by a factor of up to about 3 as the current sheet center is approached. The predicted incident plasma flow direction deviates from the orbital plane of Titan by less than or similar to 10 degrees. These results suggest a correlation between the location of magnetic pressure maxima and the oscillation phase of the plasma sheet. Our model may be used to predict near-Titan conditions from far-field in situ measurements.

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Copyright 2014 The Authors and the American Geophysical Union.