Hansen, KC; Ridley, AJ; Hospodarsky, GB; Achilleos, N; Dougherty, MK; Gombosi, TI; Tóth, G; (2005) Global MHD simulations of Saturns's magnetosphere at the time of Cassini approach. Geophysical Research Letters , 32 (20) , Article L20S06. 10.1029/2005GL022835.

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Abstract

We present the results of a 3D global magnetohydrodynamic simulation of the magnetosphere of Saturn for the period of Cassini's initial approach and entry into the magnetosphere. We compare calculated bow shock and magnetopause locations with the Cassini measurements. In order to match the measured locations we use a substantial mass source due to the icy satellites (\sim1 x 10^{28} s^{-1} of water product ions). We find that the location of bow shock and magnetopause crossings are consistent with previous spacecraft measurements, although Cassini encountered the surfaces further from Saturn than the previously determined average location. In addition, we find that the shape of the model bow shock and magnetopause have smaller flaring angles than previous models and are asymmetric dawn-to-dusk. Finally, we find that tilt of Saturn's dipole and rotation axes results in asymmetries in the bow shock and magnetopause and in the magnetotail being hinged near Titan's orbit (\sim20 R _S).

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