The Cassini radio and plasma wave investigation is designed to study radio emissions, plasma waves, thermal plasma, and dust in the vicinity of Saturn. Three nearly orthogonal electric field antennas are used to detect electric fields over a frequency range from 1 Hz to 16 MHz, and three orthogonal search coil magnetic antennas are used to detect magnetic fields over a frequency range from 1 Hz to 12 kHz. A Langmuir probe is used to measure the electron density and temperature. Signals from the electric and magnetic antennas are processed by five receiver systems: a high frequency receiver that covers the frequency range from 3.5 kHz to 16 MHz, a medium frequency receiver that covers the frequency range from 24 Hz to 12 kHz, a low frequency receiver that covers the frequency range from 1 Hz to 26 Hz, a five-channel waveform receiver that covers the frequency range from 1 Hz to 2.5 kHz in two bands, 1 Hz to 26 Hz and 3 Hz to 2.5 kHz, and a wideband receiver that has two frequency bands, 60 Hz to 10.5 kHz and 800 Hz to 75 kHz. In addition, a sounder transmitter can be used to stimulate plasma resonances over a frequency range from 3.6 kHz to 115.2 kHz. Fluxes of micron-sized dust particles can be counted and approximate masses of the dust particles can be determined using the same techniques as Voyager. Compared to Voyagers 1 and 2, which are the only spacecraft that have made radio and plasma wave measurements in the vicinity of Saturn, the Cassini radio and plasma wave instrument has several new capabilities. These include (1) greatly improved sensitivity and dynamic range, (2) the ability to perform direction-finding measurements of remotely generated radio emissions and wave normal measurements of plasma waves, (3) both active and passive measurements of plasma resonances in order to give precise measurements of the local electron density, and (4) Langmuir probe measurements of the local electron density and temperature. With these new capabilities, it will be possible to perform a broad range of studies of radio emissions, wave-particle interactions, thermal plasmas and dust in the vicinity of Saturn.

http://lasp.colorado.edu/~horanyi/graduate_seminar/Radio_Plasma_Wave.pdf

The Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Investigation

In situ data from the Pioneer and Voyager spacecraft, supplemented by earth-based observations and theoretical considerations, are used as the basis for the present quantitative, compact model of the 1 eV-several MeV charged particle distribution in the Jovian magnetosphere. The thermal plasma parameters of convection speed, number density, and characteristic energy, are specified as functions of position for electrons and for the ion species H(+), O(+), O(2+), S(+), S(2+), S(3+), and Na(+). Major features of the magnetic field, thermal plasma, and trapped particle distributions, are modeled and results for each plasma region are compared with observed spectra. Comparisons show that the model represents the data to within a factor of 2 + or - 1, except where time variations are significant. Practical applications of the model to spacecraft near Jupiter are given.

Charged particle distributions in Jupiter's magnetosphere

Launched over 35 years ago, Voyagers 1 and 2 are on an epic journey outward from the Sun to reach the boundary between the solar plasma and the much cooler interstellar medium. The boundary, called the heliopause, is expected to be marked by a large increase in plasma density, from about 0.002 per cubic centimeter (cm−3) in the outer heliosphere, to about 0.1 cm−3 in the interstellar medium. On 9 April 2013, the Voyager 1 plasma wave instrument began detecting locally generated electron plasma oscillations at a frequency of about 2.6 kilohertz. This oscillation frequency corresponds to an electron density of about 0.08 cm−3, very close to the value expected in the interstellar medium. These and other observations provide strong evidence that Voyager 1 has crossed the heliopause into the nearby interstellar plasma.

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/341/6153/1489.full.pdf

In Situ Observations of Interstellar Plasma with Voyager 1

The plasma environment within Jupiter's bow shock is considered in terms of the in situ, calibrated electron plasma measurements made between 10 eV and 5.95 keV by the Voyager plasma science experiment (PLS). Measurements were analyzed and corrected for spacecraft potential variations; the data were reduced to nearly model independent macroscopic parameters of the local electron density and temperature. It is tentatively concluded that the radial temperature profile within the plasma sheet is caused by the intermixing of two different electron populations that probably have different temporal histories and spatial paths to their local observation. The cool plasma source of the plasma sheet and spikes is probably the Io plasma torus and arrives in the plasma sheet as a result of flux tube interchange motions or other generalized transport which can be accomplished without diverting the plasma from the centrifugal equator. The hot suprathermal populations in the plasma sheet have most recently come from the sparse, hot mid-latitude "bath" of electrons which were directly observed juxtaposed to the plasma sheet.

/pdf/a-survey-of-the-plasma-electron-environment-of-jupiter-a-1tobgeb9e4.pdf

A survey of the plasma electron environment of Jupiter: A view from Voyager

The low energy charged particle (LECP) experiment on the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft made measurements of the intensity, energy spectra, and spatial distributions of ions (30 keV ≲ E ≲ 150 MeV) and electrons (22 keV ≲ E ≲ 20 MeV) during encounters with the Saturnian magnetosphere in November 1980 and August 1981, respectively. Detailed analysis of the data has revealed the following: (1) Energetic ions are present in the interplanetary medium both upstream (to ∼200 Rs) and off the dawn bow shock (to ∼400 Rs) of the magnetosphere, with maximum energies ∼100 keV. (2) Low-energy (≳22 keV) electrons are generally depleted inward of L ∼ 10 Rs, while low-energy (≳30 keV) ions are greatly enhanced in the same region. (3) The composition of low-energy ions is most likely dominated by protons in the outer magnetosphere but is consistent with oxygen in the inner (L ≲ 9) magnetosphere. (4) The ion spectrum is described well by the κ distribution with characteristic temperatures kTH ranging from ∼15 to ∼55 keV; the hot plasma region is generally confined between the L shells of Tethys and Rhea but exhibits substantial variability. (5) The electron energy spectrum at L ≲ 10 develops a secondary peak at E ≳ 200 keV that shifts to higher (∼1 MeV) energies inside the orbits of Enceladus and Mimas, indicative of electron resonance interactions with the planetary satellites. (6) There is a noon-dawn asymmetry in ion and electron intensities with peak fluxes near the Rhea-Dione L shells at local morning; this is the region in local time where Saturn kilometric radiation is modulated by the presence of Dione. (7) The ion energy density (≳30 keV) represents a significant fraction of the field energy density in the outer magnetosphere of the planet (L ≳ 13 Rs), with values of β ranging from 0.1 up to ∼4, when projected to the equator. (8) Comparison of electron and ion intensities measured by Voyagers 1 and 2 in the inner (L ≲ 6) magnetosphere at common points in B, L space shows that the radiation belts are substantially stable over periods of ∼9 months; both ion and electron intensities compared well with Pioneer 11 observations in 1979. It is evident from the results that the inner satellites of Saturn play a dominant role in the determination of intensity and spectral features of energetic particles at L ≲ 10. These aspects of the data are discussed in the context of proposed physical mechanisms expected to be operating within the magnetosphere of Saturn.

General characteristics of hot plasma and energetic particles in the Saturnian magnetosphere: Results from the Voyager spacecraft

The Voyager I plasma wave instrument detected low-frequency radio emissions, ion acoustic waves, and electron plasma oscillations for a period of months before encountering Jupiter's bow shock. In the outer magnetosphere, measurements of trapped radio waves were used to derive an electron density profile. Near and within the Io plasma torus the instrument detected high-frequency electrostatic waves, strong whistler mode turbulence, and discrete whistlers, apparently associated with lightning. Some strong emissions in the tail region and some impulsive signals have not yet been positively identified.

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/204/4396/991.full.pdf

Jupiter plasma wave observations: an initial voyager 1 overview.

The Voyager 1 plasma wave instrument detected many familiar types of plasma waves during the encounter with Saturn, including ion-acoustic waves and electron plasma oscillations upstream of the bow shock, an intense burst of electrostatic noise at the shock, and chorus, hiss, electrostatic electron cyclotron waves, and upper hybrid resonance emissions in the inner magnetosphere. A clocklike Saturn rotational control of low-frequency radio emissions was observed, and evidence was obtained of possible control by the moon Dione. Strong plasma wave emissions were detected at the Titan encounter indicating the presence of a turbulent sheath extending around Titan, and upper hybrid resonance measurements of the electron density show the existence of a dense plume of plasma being carried downstream of Titan by the interaction with the rapidly rotating magnetosphere of Saturn.

/pdf/plasma-waves-near-saturn-initial-results-from-voyager-1-2wigri4qh2.pdf

Plasma Waves Near Saturn: Initial Results from Voyager 1

The Voyager Plasma Wave System (PWS) will provide the first direct information on wave-particle interactions and their effects at the outer planets. The data will give answers to fundamental questions on the dynamics of the Jupiter and Saturn magnetospheres and the properties of the distant interplanetary medium. Basic planetary dynamical processes are known to be associated with wave-particle interactions (for instance, solar wind particle heating at the bow shock, diffusion effects that allow magnetosheath plasma to populate the magnetospheres, various energization phenomena that convert thermal plasma of solar wind origin into trapped radiation, and precipitation mechanisms that limit the trapped particle populations). At Jupiter, plasma wave measurements will also lead to understanding of the key processes known to be involved in the decameter bursts such as the cooperative mechanisms that yield the intense radiation, the observed millisecond fine-structure, and the Io modulation effect. Similar phenomena should be associated with other planetary satellites or with Saturn's rings. Local diagnostic information (such as plasma densities) will be obtained from wave observations, and the PWS may detect lightning whistler evidence of atmospheric electrical discharges. The Voyager Plasma Wave System shares the 10-meter PRA antenna elements, and the signals are processed with a 16-channel spectrum analyzer, covering the range 10 Hz to 56 kHz. At selected times during the planetary encounters, the PWS broadband channel will operate with the Voyager video telemetry link to give complete electric field waveforms over the frequency range 50 Hz to 10 kHz.

A plasma wave investigation for the Voyager Mission

The plasma wave instrument on the International Cometary Explorer (ICE) detected bursts of strong ion acoustic waves almost continuously when the spacecraft was within 2 million kilometers of the nucleus of comet Giacobini-Zinner. Electromagnetic whistlers and low-level electron plasma oscillations were also observed in this vast region that appears to be associated with heavy ion pickup. As ICE came closer to the anticipated location of the bow shock, the electromagnetic and electrostatic wave levels increased significantly, but even in the midst of this turbulence the wave instrument detected structures with familiar bow shock characteristics that were well correlated with observations of localized electron heating phenomena. Just beyond the visible coma, broadband waves with amplitudes as high as any ever detected by the ICE plasma wave instrument were recorded. These waves may account for the significant electron heating observed in this region by the ICE plasma probe, and these observations of strong wave-particle interactions may provide answers to longstanding questions concerning ionization processes in the vicinity of the coma. Near closest approach, the plasma wave instrument detected broadband electrostatic noise and a changing pattern of weak electron plasma oscillations that yielded a density profile for the outer layers of the cold plasma tail. Near the tail axis the plasma wave instrument also detected a nonuniform flux of dust impacts, and a preliminary profile of the Giacobini-Zinner dust distribution for micrometer-sized particles is presented.

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/232/4748/377.full.pdf

F. L. Scarf

Papers

Jupiter plasma wave observations: an initial voyager 1 overview.

Plasma Waves Near Saturn: Initial Results from Voyager 1

A plasma wave investigation for the Voyager Mission

Plasma wave observations at comet giacobini-zinner.

A summary of whistlers observed by Voyager 1 at Jupiter