Saturn Auroral Images and Movies from Cassini UVIS

Conference (2009, July 27)

The Io UV footprint: Location, inter-spot distances and tail vertical extent

in Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics (2009), 114

The Io footprint (IFP) consists of one or several spots observed in both jovian hemispheres and is related to the electromagnetic interaction between Io and the magnetosphere. These spots are followed by ... [more ▼]

The Io footprint (IFP) consists of one or several spots observed in both jovian hemispheres and is related to the electromagnetic interaction between Io and the magnetosphere. These spots are followed by an auroral curtain, called the tail, extending more than 90° longitude in the direction of planetary rotation. We use recent Hubble Space Telescope images of Jupiter to analyze the location of the footprint spots and tail as a function of Io's location in the jovian magnetic field. We present here a new IFP reference contour---the locus of all possible IFP positions---with an unprecedented accuracy, especially in previously poorly covered sectors. We also demonstrate that the lead angle - the longitudinal shift between Io and the actual IFP position - is not a reliable quantity for validation of the interaction models. Instead, the evolution of the inter-spot distances appears to be a better diagnosis of the Io-Jupiter interaction. Moreover, we present observations of the tail vertical profiles as seen above the limb. The emission peak altitude is ~900 km and remains relatively constant with the distance from the main spot. The altitudinal extent of the vertical emission profiles is not compatible with precipitation of a mono-energetic electron population. The best fit is obtained for a kappa distribution with a characteristic energy of ~70 eV and a spectral index of 2.3. The broadness of the inferred electron energy spectrum gives insight into the physics of the electron acceleration mechanism at play above the IFP tail. [less ▲]

Venus express: Highlights of the nominal mission

in Solar System Research (2009), 43

Venus Express is the first European (ESA) mission to the planet Venus. Its main science goal is to carry out a global survey of the atmosphere, the plasma environment, and the surface of Venus from orbit ... [more ▼]

Venus Express is the first European (ESA) mission to the planet Venus. Its main science goal is to carry out a global survey of the atmosphere, the plasma environment, and the surface of Venus from orbit. The payload consists of seven experiments. It includes a powerful suite of remote sensing imagers and spectrometers, instruments for in-situ investigation of the circumplanetary plasma and magnetic field, and a radio science experiment. The spacecraft, based on the Mars Express bus modified for the conditions at Venus, provides a versatile platform for nadir and limb observations as well as solar, stellar, and radio occultations. In April 2006 Venus Express was inserted in an elliptical polar orbit around Venus, with a pericentre height of Ë 250 km and apocentre distance of Ë 66000 km and an orbital period of 24 hours. The nominal mission lasted from June 4, 2006 till October 2, 2007, which corresponds to about two Venus sidereal days. Here we present an overview of the main results of the nominal mission, based on a set of papers recently published in Nature, Icarus, Planetary and Space Science, and Geophysical Research Letters. [less ▲]

Response of Jupiter's and Saturn's auroral activity to the solar wind

in Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics (2009), 114

While the terrestrial aurorae are known to be driven primarily by the interaction of the Earth's magnetosphere with the solar wind, there is considerable evidence that auroral emissions on Jupiter and ... [more ▼]

While the terrestrial aurorae are known to be driven primarily by the interaction of the Earth's magnetosphere with the solar wind, there is considerable evidence that auroral emissions on Jupiter and Saturn are driven primarily by internal processes, with the main energy source being the planets' rapid rotation. Prior observations have suggested there might be some influence of the solar wind on Jupiter's aurorae and indicated that auroral storms on Saturn can occur at times of solar wind pressure increases. To investigate in detail the dependence of auroral processes on solar wind conditions, a large campaign of observations of these planets has been undertaken using the Hubble Space Telescope, in association with measurements from planetary spacecraft and solar wind conditions both propagated from 1 AU and measured near each planet. The data indicate a brightening of both the auroral emissions and Saturn kilometric radiation at Saturn close in time to the arrival of solar wind shocks and pressure increases, consistent with a direct physical relationship between Saturnian auroral processes and solar wind conditions. At Jupiter the correlation is less strong, with increases in total auroral power seen near the arrival of solar wind forward shocks but little increase observed near reverse shocks. In addition, auroral dawn storms have been observed when there was little change in solar wind conditions. The data are consistent with some solar wind influence on some Jovian auroral processes, while the auroral activity also varies independently of the solar wind. This extensive data set will serve to constrain theoretical models for the interaction of the solar wind with the magnetospheres of Jupiter and Saturn. [less ▲]

Comparison of O2 IR and NO UV night airglow variations on Mars and Venus

Conference (2009, May)

The ultraviolet nitric oxide emission in the nightside atmospheres of Venus and Mars

Conference (2009, May)

Equatorward diffuse auroral emissions at Jupiter: Simultaneous HST and Galileo observations

in Geophysical Research Letters (2009), 36

We study the auroral emissions equatorward of the main oval based on Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of both Jovian hemispheres on September 20, 1997. On the same day, Galileo observed changes ... [more ▼]

We study the auroral emissions equatorward of the main oval based on Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of both Jovian hemispheres on September 20, 1997. On the same day, Galileo observed changes in the electron pitch angle distribution between the inner and middle magnetosphere (PAD boundary), indicative of electron diffusion. This region, magnetically maps to the equatorward diffuse emissions on both hemispheres. Whistler mode waves, observed simultaneously, can scatter electrons into the loss cone and lead to electron precipitation in the ionosphere. Based on simultaneous HST FUV and Galileo wave and electron data we test the conditions for electron scattering by whistler mode waves and derive the energy flux precipitated in the ionosphere. The comparison of the derived precipitation energy flux with the observed auroral brightness indicates that the energy contained in the PAD boundary can account for the auroral emissions. [less ▲]

Hydroxyl nightglow on Venus observed by VIRTIS on Venus-Express

Conference (2009, April)

Hydroxyl has been recently observed for the first time in the Venus atmosphere with the VIRTIS spectrometer on board the Venus-Express spacecraft. The (1-0) around 2.81 microns and the (2-0) around 1.46 ... [more ▼]

Hydroxyl has been recently observed for the first time in the Venus atmosphere with the VIRTIS spectrometer on board the Venus-Express spacecraft. The (1-0) around 2.81 microns and the (2-0) around 1.46 microns transitions have been detected. The intensity of the two emissions are respectively about 55 and 480 times less intense than the (0-0) oxygen transition (Piccioni et al, A&A, 2008). The possible chemical reactions which can produce hydroxyl on Venus involve O3 and HO2, with the former being the most probable, and hence OH can be used to indirectly infer the ozone distribution on Venus. VIRTIS data in limb mode observation were analyzed to derive the mean distribution of hydroxyl in the night side of Venus and the results are presented here. The typical peak altitude of the two emissions is set at 95-96 km in limb view, a few km lower than the oxygen emission at 1.27 um due to the transition (0-0). The peak altitude of the latter typically occurs at 97-98 km height. The OH full width at half maximum is in average about 7 km, and sometimes higher. The mean map of (1-0) hydroxyl distribution around 2.81 microns shows a maximum of emission of about 130 kR at about 1h local time. The study of the (2-0) hydroxyl distribution at around 1.46 microns results more difficult due to its weak intensity. [less ▲]

Characteristics of Saturn's polar atmosphere and auroral electrons derived from HST/STIS, FUSE and Cassini/UVIS spectra

in Icarus: International Journal of Solar System Studies (2009), 200

Ultraviolet (UV) spectra of Saturn's aurora obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS), the Cassini Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) and the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic ... [more ▼]

Ultraviolet (UV) spectra of Saturn's aurora obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS), the Cassini Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) and the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) have been analyzed. Comparisons between the observed spectra and synthetic models of electron-excited H[SUB]2[/SUB] have been used to determine various auroral characteristics. Far ultraviolet (FUV: 1200 1700 Å) STIS and UVIS spectra exhibit, below 1400 Å, weak absorption due to methane, with a vertical column ranging between 1.4×10[SUP][/SUP] and 1.2×10[SUP][/SUP]cm[SUP][/SUP]. Using the low-latitude Moses et al. [Moses, J.I., Bézard, B., Lellouch, E., Feuchtgruber, H., Gladstone, G.R., Allen, M., 2000. Icarus, 143, 244 298] atmospheric model of Saturn and an electron energy H[SUB]2[/SUB] column relationship, these methane columns are converted into the mean energy of the primary precipitating electrons, estimated to lie in the range 10 18 keV. This result is confirmed by the study of self-absorption with UVIS and FUSE extreme ultraviolet (EUV: 900 1200 Å) spectra. Below 1200 Å, it is seen that transitions connecting to the v[SUP][/SUP]<2 vibrational levels of the H[SUB]2[/SUB] electronic ground state are partially self-absorbed by H[SUB]2[/SUB] molecules overlying the auroral emission. Because of its low spectral resolution (Ë 5.5 Å), the UVIS EUV spectrum we analyzed does not allow us to unequivocally determine reasonable ranges of temperatures and H[SUB]2[/SUB] columns. On the other hand, the high spectral resolution (Ë 0.2 Å) of the FUSE LiF1a and LiF2a EUV spectra we examined resolve the H[SUB]2[/SUB] rotational lines and makes it possible to determine the H[SUB]2[/SUB] temperature. The modeled spectrum best fitting the FUSE LiF1a observation reveals a temperature of 500 K and self-absorption by a H[SUB]2[/SUB] vertical column of 3×10[SUP][/SUP]cm[SUP][/SUP]. When converted to energy of precipitating electrons, this H[SUB]2[/SUB] column corresponds to primary electrons of Ë 10 keV. The model that best fits the LiF2a spectrum is characterized by a temperature of 400 K and is not self-absorbed, making this segment ideal to determine the H[SUB]2[/SUB] temperature at the altitude of the auroral emission. The latter value is in agreement with temperatures obtained from H3+ infrared polar spectra. Self-absorption is detectable in the LiF2a segment for H[SUB]2[/SUB] columns exceeding 6×10[SUP][/SUP]cm[SUP][/SUP], which sets the maximum mean energy determined from the FUSE observations to Ë 15 keV. The total electron energy range of 10 18 keV deduced from FUV and EUV observations places the auroral emission peak between the 0.1 and 0.3 mubar pressure levels. These values should be seen as an upper limit, since most of the Voyager UVS spectra of Saturn's aurora examined by Sandel et al. [Sandel, B.R., Shemansky, D.E., Broadfoot, A.L., Holberg, J.B., Smith, G.R., 1982. Science 215, 548] do not exhibit methane absorption. The auroral H[SUB]2[/SUB] emission is thus likely located above but close to the methane homopause. The H[SUB]2[/SUB] auroral brightness in the 800 1700 Å bandwidth varies from 2.9 kR to 139 kR, comparable to values derived from FUV Faint Object Camera (FOC) and STIS images. [less ▲]

Altitude of Saturn's aurora and its implications for the characteristic energy of precipitated electrons

in Geophysical Research Letters (2009), 36

Images of Saturn's aurora at the limb have been collected with the Advanced Camera for Surveys on board the Hubble Space Telescope. They show that the peak of Saturn's nightside emission is generally ... [more ▼]

Images of Saturn's aurora at the limb have been collected with the Advanced Camera for Surveys on board the Hubble Space Telescope. They show that the peak of Saturn's nightside emission is generally located 900-1300 km above the 1-bar level. On the other hand, methane and H[SUB]2[/SUB] columns overlying the aurora have been determined from the analysis of FUV and EUV spectra, respectively. Using a low-latitude model, these columns place the emission layer at or above 610 km. One possibility to solve this apparent discrepancy between imaging and spectral observations is to assume that the thermospheric temperature in the auroral region sharply increases at a higher pressure level than in the low-latitude regions. Using an electron transport code, we estimate the characteristic energy of the precipitated electrons derived from these observations to be in the range 1-5 keV using a low latitude model and 5-30 keV in case of the modified model. [less ▲]