Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2025

Methods of Ex Situ and In Situ Investigations of Structural Transformations: The Case of Crystallization of Metallic Glasses
Published on: June 7, 2018
Energetic neutral atom imaging reveals nearly 11-year cycle of the ring current of Saturn
Yimeng Li1, Chao Yue2, Yixin Sun1
1Institute of Space Physics and Applied Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
The drift motion of energetic charged particles can generate an azimuthal electric current around the planet known as the ring current, which regulates the field configuration of the magnetosphere. However, limited coverage of in-situ measurements makes it challenging to investigate the long-term variations of the global ring current. Taking advantage of the energetic neutral atom (ENA) imaging onboard the Cassini mission, we present a nearly 11-year cycle of the suprathermal ring current populations in Saturn's magnetosphere. We find that the peak location of the suprathermal ring current in local time oscillates between post-midnight and pre-midnight sectors, and its intensity minimizes during the solar maximum. These results indicate that the modulation of the suprathermal ring current is closely related to the solar cycle. Our analysis also offers a preview of the ring current at other giant planets, such as Jupiter, which will be imaged by ENA cameras onboard the JUICE mission.
Related Concept Videos
Atomic Nuclei: Larmor Precession Frequency
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Population Distribution
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Overview
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin
Atomic nuclei have a net nuclear spin, , which can have an integer or half-integer value. In atomic nuclei, the spins of protons are paired against each other but not with neutrons, and vice versa. Consequently, an even number of protons does not...
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Overview
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Magnetic Moment

