Longitudinal and local time asymmetries of magnetospheric turbulence in Saturn's plasma sheet

Abstract

AbstractBased on earlier studies that have shown Saturn's middle magnetosphere to contain turbulent magnetic field fluctuations, we analyze the spatial and temporal variations of the magnetic fluctuations and turbulent heating rate as a function of local time and magnetic phase. The region of study is Saturn's plasma sheet at a distance of 6–20 Rs, where Rs is Saturn's equatorial radius. The data set consists of magnetic field data measured during 92 orbits (revolutions) from the equatorial phases of Cassini covering 9 years from 2004 to 2012. We find asymmetries in the magnetosphere with enhanced fluctuations around noon. With respect to longitude we find increased fluctuations at 65° southern and 250° northern magnetic phase. This leads to an increased turbulent heating rate in these regions and is consistent with regions of increased plasma density and maximum downward field‐aligned currents according to the quasi‐dipolar perturbation fields. Analysis of single orbits reveals that the heating rate of 79% of all analyzed inbound and outbound legs is significantly (statistical error less than 1%) sinusoidally modulated. The modulation of the turbulent heating rate is predominantly observed during times when Cassini is located between dusk and midnight and additionally at dawn.