L shell distribution of energetic electrons at Saturn

Abstract

Energetic electron fluxes (110-485 keV) observed by the MIMI/LEMMS instrument on the Cassini mission to Saturn were averaged into azimuthal bins and L shell bins for the period from day 150 2004 to day 366 2008. In local time, the electrons fluxes maximize on the night side between the Mimas and Rhea L shells and have a minimum near noon. This local time behavior may be a result of nightside injection combined with subcorotational drift in a nondipolar field. In SLS longitude, the electrons are smoothly distributed, showing no signs of spiral patterns on this multiyear timescale. The lower energy electrons (110-365 keV) form an inner belt near the Mimas L shell and an outer belt between the Dione and Rhea L shells. Copyright 2009 by the American Geophysical Union.