Publication Date:
2011-08-24
Description:
The static and dynamic characteristics of the magnetopauses of the outer planets, as well as their estimated large scale shapes, are reviewed and compared to each other and to those of the earth. Various unique features will be stressed. For example, because of the severe asymmetric nature of the main magnetic fields of Uranus and Neptune (due to significantly displaced and tilted magnetic dipole sources), their magnetospheres are (rapidly) rotating obstacles to solar wind flow, and their magnetopauses respond to that large, rapid variation. Waves or wavelike features on Uranus' boundary, and evidence for boundary layer plasmas at all of the outer planets, is reviewed. Unexpectedly, Voyager 2 encountered a magnetospheric cusp as it entered Neptune's magnetosphere. Observations of that region will be discussed, especially with regard to its structure and the apparent boundary layer plasmas around that complex boundary. Waves on the magnetopause of Saturn with periods of 5 to 30 min have been observed (as at earth). Comparisons of the estimated thicknesses of the observed magnetopauses will be made, including that of earth.
Keywords:
LUNAR AND PLANETARY EXPLORATION
Type:
Advances in Space Research (ISSN 0273-1177); 12; 8, Au
Format:
text
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