[en] Cassini's Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) has completed a year of study of Saturn's atmosphere and auroras. Two long slit spectral channels are used to obtain EUV data from 56.3-118.2 nm and FUV data from 111.5-191.3 nm. 64 spatial pixels along each slit are combined with slit motion to build up spectral images of Saturn, with sufficient spatial resolution to reveal Saturn's auroral oval. Saturn images include evidence for rapid auroral variations and polar UV-dark regions mostly inside the auroral ovals. Absorption bands of acetylene are clearly seen in the reflected sunlight spectrum. The auroral emission spectrum is similar to that of Jupiter, showing H2 band emission and H Lyman-alpha emission. Saturn's auroral, dayglow, and nightglow spectra show significant differences. Saturn's aurora is observed to vary in brightness by at least a factor of four. The brightest auroral emissions seen so far occurred after 2004 day 207 19:30 when Cassini CAPS and MAG recorded passage of a solar wind shock. The enhanced auroral brightness persisted for days, and is seen at both poles of Saturn. Cassini RPWS observed enhanced auroral kilometric emissions during several auroral brightening events seen by UVIS. A campaign of Hubble Space Telescope UV imaging with ACS (Advanced Camera for Surveys) of Saturn's dayside southern auroral zone took place on 2005 February 17. Cassini UVIS and VIMS observed Saturn's nightside northern aurora during this period. The UVIS long slit was aligned with lines of latitude on Saturn, providing information about intensity and spectral variations along the auroral oval. Cassini VIMS has now obtained an initial image and spectrum of Saturn's H3}+ auroral emissions.
Disciplines :
Space science, astronomy & astrophysics
Author, co-author :
Pryor, W. R.; Central Arizona College
Baines, K.; Jet Propulsion Laboratory
West, R.; Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Ajello, J.; Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Hansen, C.; Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Stewart, I.; University of Colorado > LASP
Esposito, L.; University of Colorado > LASP
Colwell, J.; University of Colorado > LASP
McClintock, W.; University of Colorado > LASP
Jouchoux, A.; University of Colorado > LASP
Shemansky, D.; University of Southern California
Hallett, J. T.; University of Southern California
Crary, F.; Southwest Research Institute
Kurth, William; University of Iowa > Department of Physics and Astronomy
Clarke, J.; Boston University
Gustin, Jacques ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Labo de physique atmosphérique et planétaire (LPAP)
Grodent, Denis ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Labo de physique atmosphérique et planétaire (LPAP)
Gérard, Jean-Claude ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Labo de physique atmosphérique et planétaire (LPAP)
Bunce, E.; University of Leicester > Department of Physics and Astronomy