The Tail of the Induced Magnetosphere of Titan

NEUBAUER, F. M.; BERTUCCI, C. L.; BACKES, H.; DOUGHERTY, M. K.; RUSSELL, C. T.; YOUNG, D.; COATES, A.

Congreso; AGU Spring Meeting 2006; 2006

We develop a physical picture of the magnetotail of the induced magnetosphere of Titan based on general plasma physical considerations,numerical modelling and observations by Cassini and Voyager 1.First we show that under the sub-fast,transAlfvenic and transsonic flow conditions in the outer magnetosphere of Saturn a hybrid wing system develops with Alfvenic and slow MHD-features.This wing system is characterised by strong plasma and magnetic field disturbances and can be called the Delta-wing model of the magnetotail of Titan.This picture is confirmed by modeling results from an advanced MHD-model.We shall also discuss the role of finite gyro radius effects expected in the presence of heavy ions and asymmetries due to asymmetric initial conditions provided by the initial magnetic field,flow conditions and the direction of the solar source of ionization and therefore mass loading.A comparison with Cassini magnetic field and plasma data obtained during the recent T9 encounter will also be done.