Abstract
During Cassini's Grand Finale in 2017, the number densities of electron and light ions in Saturn's low-latitude ionosphere were measured in situ. This region is strongly influenced by the influx of ring material from Saturn's D ring.The electron data from the onboard Langmuir probe (LP) and light ion densities from the Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) correlate very well even on short timescales after correcting the INMS timestamps, whereas prior the correlation was limited to broader scales. We analyze the electron-to-ion ratios for the proximal orbits and identify three distinct regions in Saturn's ionosphere:1) For altitudes above ∼2500 km and latitudes between -20° and 20°, the electron-to-light-ion ratios for the four analysed orbits are generally 8000 km) the ratios increase rapidly. This may indicate the presence of heavier ions, such as O+ and water group species, spiralling in from the C ring.
Published Version
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