Enhanced Airglow Signature Observed at Titan in Response to its Fluctuating Magnetospheric Environment

Abstract

AbstractOn rare occasions Titan has been observed in the magnetosheath, where the solar wind interferes with the regular magnetic field generated by Saturn. This particular orbital position allows for a deeper investigation of Titan's upper atmosphere response to its highly energetic magnetospheric environment. Although solar extreme ultraviolet radiation is known to be the main source of ionization in Titan's upper atmosphere, magnetospheric particle precipitation can also account for about 10% of the ionization process. We are reporting here on ultraviolet observations of Titan airglow enhancements occurring while the spacecraft and Titan are known to have been exposed to the magnetosheath environment. Using remote sensing Cassini Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph observations of Titan in correlation with in situ Cassini Plasma Spectrometer measurements, we present evidence of Titan's upper atmosphere response to an electron burst crossing the magnetosheath at the time of the T32 flyby, on 13 June 2007.