Complex structure within Saturn’s infrared aurora

Tom Stallard (), Steve Miller, Makenzie Lystrup, Nicholas Achilleos, Emma J. Bunce, Christopher S. Arridge, Michele K. Dougherty, Stan W. H. Cowley, Sarah V. Badman, Dean L. Talboys, Robert H. Brown, Kevin H. Baines, Bonnie J. Buratti, Roger N. Clark, Christophe Sotin, Phil D. Nicholson and Pierre Drossart
Additional contact information
Tom Stallard: University of Leicester
Steve Miller: Atmospheric Physics Laboratory, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
Makenzie Lystrup: Atmospheric Physics Laboratory, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
Nicholas Achilleos: Atmospheric Physics Laboratory, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
Emma J. Bunce: University of Leicester
Christopher S. Arridge: Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6NT, UK
Michele K. Dougherty: Space and Atmospheric Physics Group, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, South Kensington Campus
Stan W. H. Cowley: University of Leicester
Sarah V. Badman: University of Leicester
Dean L. Talboys: University of Leicester
Robert H. Brown: Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0092, USA
Kevin H. Baines: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, M/S 183-601, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, California 91109-8099, USA
Bonnie J. Buratti: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, M/S 183-601, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, California 91109-8099, USA
Roger N. Clark: US Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado 80225, USA
Christophe Sotin: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, M/S 183-601, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, California 91109-8099, USA
Phil D. Nicholson: Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
Pierre Drossart: Observatoire de Paris

Nature, 2008, vol. 456, issue 7219, 214-217

Abstract: Planetary aurora: Cassini's new angle on Saturn Planetary aurorae are generally produced by currents flowing between the planet's ionosphere and magnetosphere, which accelerate energetic charged particles that then hit the upper atmosphere. Recent models of Saturn's aurora predict only weak emission away from the main auroral oval. Stallard et al. now present Cassini infrared images taken from a novel angle, providing the first nightside auroral view. They reveal emissions both poleward and equatorward of the main oval. The polar emissions vary with time, and seem not to be linked with strong magnetospheric compressions. This aurora appears to be unique to Saturn and cannot be explained by current models of Saturn's magnetosphere.

Date: 2008
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DOI: 10.1038/nature07440

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