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A radiation belt of energetic protons located between Saturn and its rings

Saturn's proton radiation belts
SUMMARY: The main rings of Saturn prevent the migration of charged particles into the magnetosphere. The isolation of the material in the outer radiation belts allows for the study of energetic particles, their sources, and their loss processes due to the fact that they are indirectly coupled to the dynamics of the magnetosphere. With the help of the Cassini Probe, potential sources and losses have been identified. Possible sources of energetic particles include cosmic ray albedo neutron decay (CRAND) and multiple-charge exchange, whereas losses are most likely from energy deposition and scattering of trapped particles in by the dust of the rings. Proton fluxes exceeding 25 MeV and the lack of heavy ions are consistent with the radiation belt originating from CRAND. The large amount of anisotropy in the proton distributions is attributed to proton losses through collisions with neutral atmospheric particles.

SIGNIFICANCE: The data collected by the Cassini Probe gives detailed information into the processes of Saturn. Compared to Earth, the stronger magnetic moment of Saturn allows for more stable trapping of protons at relativistic energies. The data allows for comparisons of Saturn with other planets including Jupiter and Earth. The study of charged particles in the radiation belts of Saturn allow for new insight into the production and losses of particles of relativistic energies and sheds new light on the planet that has long been a favorite in our solar system.

 

URL: http://science.sciencemag.org.colorado.idm.oclc.org/content/362/6410/eaat1962

Authors: E. Roussos, P. Kollmann, N. Krupp, A. Kotova, L. Regoli, C. Paranicas, D.G. Mitchell, S.M. Krimigis, D. Hamilton, P. Brandt, J. Carbary, S. Christon, K. Dialynas, I. Dandouras, M.E. Hill, W.H. Ip, G.H. Jones, S. Livi, B.H. Mauk, B. Palmaerts, E.C. Roelof, A. Rymer, N. Sergis, H.T. Smith