Cassini Interdisciplinary Investigation:

Aeronomy / Magnetosphere & Solar Wind Interaction (IDS)

IDS: Darrell F. Strobel

Interdisciplinary Scientist:

General Description of Interdisciplinary Investigation:

The scientific goal of this Cassini mission interdisciplinary scientific investigation is an aeronomical understanding of Titan's upper atmosphere/exosphere, its interaction with Saturn's magnetosphere and the solar wind, its role as a source of neutral and ionized material to the magnetosphere, and its photochemistry.The investigation will make use of the Cassini in situ and remote sensing data to make a comprehensive assessment of the relative importance of chemical and physical processes governing the behavior and structure of Titan's extended atmosphere and its interaction with the plasma environment.

Scientific Objectives of Interdisciplinary Investigation:

• Determine the composition and thermal structure of Titan's and Saturn's neutral upper atmospheres.
• Determine the composition and thermal structure of Titan's and Saturn's ionospheres.
• Study dayglow and excitation processes in Titan's and Saturn's atmospheres.
• Study nightglow on Titan's darkside.
• Study the interaction of Tatan's atmosphere and exosphere with Saturn's magnetosphere and the solar wind.
• Determine the source rates of neutral and ionized material from Titan in Titan's torus.
• Infer Titan ionospheric nitrile production rates.
• Determine the composition and thermal structure of Saturn's upper atmosphere.
• Evaluate the aeronomical effects on Saturn's local auroral atmosphere.

For additional information about the Johns Hopkins University Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, see http://www.jhu.edu/~eps (Department Homepage).