Detection of currents and associated electric fields in Titan's ionosphere from Cassini data

Abstract

[1] We present observations from three Cassini flybys of Titan using data from the radio and plasma wave science, magnetometer and plasma spectrometer instruments. We combine magnetic field and cold plasma measurements with calculated conductivities and conclude that there are currents of the order of 10 to 100 nA m−2 flowing in the ionosphere of Titan. The currents below the exobase (∼1400 km) are principally field parallel and Hall in nature, while the Pedersen current is negligible in comparison. Associated with the currents are perpendicular electric fields ranging from 0.5 to 3 μV m−1.