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A model of the spatial and size distribution of Enceladus׳ dust plume.

Authors :
Meier, Patrick
Kriegel, Hendrik
Motschmann, Uwe
Schmidt, Jürgen
Spahn, Frank
Hill, Thomas W.
Dong, Yaxue
Jones, Geraint H.
Source :
Planetary & Space Science. Dec2014 Part B, Vol. 104, p216-233. 18p.
Publication Year :
2014

Abstract

The structure of Enceladus׳ south polar plume of charged dust is studied by simulations of the dust grain dynamics. The model considers the Lorentz force and charging of the grains by the plasma environment within the plume. Simulated dust plumes are investigated by applying 10 selected sets of dust parameters that include variations of the grain production rate, the slope of the grain size distribution and the start conditions (velocity, direction) of the grains. The modeled dust plume profiles are in good agreement with nanograin data of Cassini Plasma Spectrometer (CAPS). Major results are (1) due to the local plasma environment the nanograins are accelerated by the Lorentz force and form a structured tail; (2) due to the finite charging time the peak dust charge density is located about 0.3 – 0.6 r E below Enceladus׳ south pole; (3) nanograins smaller than 10 nm are more than 99% of the produced dust; (4) CAPS data are best matched if the nanograins are launched with high, collimated start velocities; (5) the grain charging time is crucially affected by inhomogeneities in the local plasma environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00320633
Volume :
104
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Planetary & Space Science
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
99829714
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2014.09.016