Cassini Magnetometer Observations of the Polarity Reversal Layer of Titan's Magnetic Tail

LAW, A. L.; BERTUCCI, C.; DOUGHERTY, M. K.; MUELLER-WODARG, I. C.; NEUBAUER, F. M.; ARRIDGE, C. S.; RYMER, A. M.; COATES, A. J.; WAHLUND, J.

Congreso; AGU Fall Meeting 2005; 2005

Since Titan does not have a significant intrinsic magnetic field it interacts with its plasma environment (usually Saturn's magnetosphere) via its substantial atmosphere. This interaction results in an induced magnetic tail forming downstream of Titan as the magnetic field is draped around Titan. An important feature of this magnetic tail is the polarity reversal layer (PRL), which carries the current required to separate the opposite magnetic fields of the northern and southern lobes. Cassini's flybys that are downstream of Titan provide valuable information in the study of the PRL. In this work we characterise the PRL as seen by the Cassini magnetometer and other Cassini plasma instruments. We discuss the orientation of the PRL with respect to the variety of upstream magnetic field conditions seen at Titan's orbit and study its magnetic structure to have an estimate of the current flowing across this boundary.