Saturn's Magnetospheric Interaction with Titan as Defined by Cassini Encounter T9: New Results

SITTLER, E.; HARTLE, R.; LIPATOV, A.; BERTUCCI, C.; COATES, A.; SZEGO, K.; SHAPPIRIO, M.; SIMPSON, D.; WAHLUND, J.

Congreso; European Planetary Science Congress 2008; 2008

We present new results of Cassini's T9 flyby. These results are based on Cassini Plasma Spectrometer (CAPS) and Cassini Magnetometer (MAG) measurements with new ion and electron fluid parameter results presented. Compositional evidence shows a proton only interaction with Titan which changes the nature of the interaction substantially with significantly lower external pressures than that for TA where heavy ions dominated the magnetospheric plasma. Within Titan's induced magnetotail, referred to as event 1, we observe ionospheric field aligned outflows with flux ~ 8x106 ions/cm2/s and speed ~ 8 km/s. For event 2 we observe H+ and H2 + ions also moving away from Titan and field aligned with total flux ~ 3x106 ions/cm2/s and speeds ~ 30 km/s. Event 2 is probably draped field lines with scavenging of H2 + pickup ions formed inside the induced magnetosphere boundary of the interaction.