ORBi: Pryor W. R. - Saturn's Auroras and Polar Atmosphere from Cassini UVIS

Reference : Saturn's Auroras and Polar Atmosphere from Cassini UVIS


	Document type :	Scientific congresses and symposiums : Unpublished conference
	Discipline(s) :	Physical, chemical, mathematical & earth Sciences : Space science, astronomy & astrophysics
	To cite this reference:	http://hdl.handle.net/2268/8920

Title :	Saturn's Auroras and Polar Atmosphere from Cassini UVIS
Language :	English
Author, co-author :	Pryor, W. R. [Central Arizona College, 8470 N. Overfield Rd., Coolidge, AZ 85228 United States ;]
	West, R. [Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena, CA 91109 United States ;]
	Larsen, K. [LASP/University of Colorado, 1234 Innovation Dr., Boulder, CO 80303 United States ;]
	Stewart, I. [LASP/University of Colorado, 1234 Innovation Dr., Boulder, CO 80303 United States ;]
	Esposito, L. [LASP/University of Colorado, 1234 Innovation Dr., Boulder, CO 80303 United States ;]
	Colwell, J. [LASP/University of Colorado, 1234 Innovation Dr., Boulder, CO 80303 United States ;]
	McClintock, W. [LASP/University of Colorado, 1234 Innovation Dr., Boulder, CO 80303 United States ;]
	Jouchoux, A. [LASP/University of Colorado, 1234 Innovation Dr., Boulder, CO 80303 United States ;]
	Shemansky, D. [Space Environment Technologies, 320 N Halstead St Suite 110, Pasadena, CA 91107 United States ;]
	Ajello, J. [Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena, CA 91109 United States ;]
	Hansen, C. [Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena, CA 91109 United States ;]
	Clarke, J. [Boston University, 725 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215 United States ;]
	Gustin, Jacques [Université de Liège - ULg > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Labo de physique atmosphérique et planétaire (LPAP) >]
	Grodent, Denis [Université de Liège - ULg > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Labo de physique atmosphérique et planétaire (LPAP) >]
	Gérard, Jean-Claude [Université de Liège - ULg > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Labo de physique atmosphérique et planétaire (LPAP) >]
	Baines, K. [Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena, CA 91109 United States ;]
	Drossart, P. [Observatory de Paris, LESIA, Meudon, 92190 France ;]
	Simon-Miller, A. [NASA/Goddard SFC, Code 6930, Greenbelt, MD 20771 United States ;]
Publication date :	1-Dec-2006
On invitation :	No
Audience :	International
Event name :	AGU Fall meeting
Event date :	Décembre 2006
Event organizer :	American Geophysical Union
Event place (city) :	San Francisco
Event country :	USA
Keywords :	[en] 5704 Atmospheres (0343 ; 1060) ; 5706 Aurorae ; 5709 Composition (1060)
Abstract :	[en] Cassini's Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) has completed two years 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 construct spectral images of Saturn, with sufficient spatial resolution to image Saturn's auroral oval when Cassini leaves Saturn's equatorial plane. We will present new images and time-series data from summer 2006. Detailed spectral models of molecular hydrogen auroral emissions that include hydrocarbon absorption and hydrogen self- absorption have now been compared to UVIS data. We are analyzing a UV spectral feature detected in an auroral oval image from 2005. The feature is an absorption feature concentrated inside the oval, at wavelengths dominated by reflected sunlight and acetylene absorption. The absorption feature appears as a broad absorption "scoop". One plausible molecule that has a similar absorption feature is benzene, which has a cross-section some 500 times larger than acetylene in this spectral region. Thus UVIS is sensitive to small quantities of benzene. Enhanced polar benzene has been previously observed at Jupiter and can be generated in coupled photochemical/auroral models. We will explore the uniqueness of this interpretation, and compare the inferred benzene abundances to results from complementary Cassini CIRS infrared observations. Additional out of the equatorial plane UVIS Saturn data planned for the coming months will improve the signal- to-noise ratio and spatial resolution on the auroral ovals and their interior. Coordinated observations with Cassini VIMS and Hubble Space Telescope are being scheduled for 2007.
Target :	Researchers ; Professionals
Permalink :	http://hdl.handle.net/2268/8920
Other URL :	http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2006AGUFM.P41C1305P

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