eprintid: 113947
rev_number: 51
eprint_status: archive
userid: 608
dir: disk0/00/11/39/47
datestamp: 2010-10-21 20:06:33
lastmod: 2021-10-09 23:06:37
status_changed: 2012-08-29 14:34:39
type: article
metadata_visibility: show
item_issues_count: 0
creators_name: Galand, M
creators_name: Yelle, RV
creators_name: Coates, AJ
creators_name: Backes, H
creators_name: Wahlund, JE
title: Electron temperature of Titan's sunlit ionosphere
ispublished: pub
divisions: UCL
divisions: B04
divisions: C06
divisions: F63
keywords: Photoionization cross-sections, Upper-atmosphere, Plasma, Photoelectron, Model, Rates
note: Copyright 2006 by the American Geophysical Union
abstract: Titan's upper atmosphere is ionized by solar radiation and particle bombardment from Saturn's magnetosphere. The induced ionosphere plays a key role in the coupling of Titan's atmosphere with the Kronian environment. It also provides unique signatures for identifying energy sources upon Titan's upper atmosphere. Here we focus on observations from the first, close flyby by the Cassini spacecraft and assess the ionization and electron heating sources in Titan's sunlit ionosphere. We compare CAPS electron spectra with spectra produced by an electron transport model based on the INMS neutral densities and a MHD interaction model. In addition, we compare RPWS electron temperature against the models. The important terms in the electron energy equation include loss through excitation of vibrational states of N-2 and CH4, Coulomb collisions with suprathermal electrons, and thermal conduction. Our analysis highlights the important role of the magnetic field line configuration for aeronomic studies at Titan.
date: 2006-11-01
publisher: AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION
official_url: http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2006GL027488
vfaculties: VMPS
oa_status: green
language: eng
primo: open
primo_central: open_green
article_type_text: Article
verified: verified_batch
elements_source: Web of Science
elements_id: 190320
doi: 10.1029/2006GL027488
language_elements: EN
lyricists_name: Coates, Andrew
lyricists_id: AJCOA20
full_text_status: public
publication: Geophysical Research Letters
volume: 33
number: 21
article_number: L21101
issn: 0094-8276
citation:        Galand, M;    Yelle, RV;    Coates, AJ;    Backes, H;    Wahlund, JE;      (2006)    Electron temperature of Titan's sunlit ionosphere.                   Geophysical Research Letters , 33  (21)    , Article L21101.  10.1029/2006GL027488 <https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GL027488>.       Green open access   
 
document_url: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/113947/1/2006GL027488.pdf