Statistical Study on L‐O Mode Saturn Kilometric Radiation

Abstract Based on the 13 years‐long observation of Saturn kilometric radiation (SKR) by the Cassini/Radio and Plasma Wave Science instrument, this study derives statistics for left‐hand (L‐O) mode SKR emissions. These emissions span a frequency range from below 10 kHz to approximately 1,000 kHz, wit...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Junhao Pan, Siyuan Wu, Shengyi Ye, Georg Fischer, Laurent Lamy, Philippe Zarka, Ulrich Taubenschuss
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-08-01
Series:Geophysical Research Letters
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL114876
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Summary:Abstract Based on the 13 years‐long observation of Saturn kilometric radiation (SKR) by the Cassini/Radio and Plasma Wave Science instrument, this study derives statistics for left‐hand (L‐O) mode SKR emissions. These emissions span a frequency range from below 10 kHz to approximately 1,000 kHz, with spectral flux densities ranging between 10−24 and 10−18 W/(m2 Hz) consistent with, although fainter than, right‐hand mode SKR. Predominantly observed within 20 Saturn radii, the occurrence rates of L‐O mode SKR exhibit a preference below 20° in latitude, and a local time asymmetry with a higher occurrence rate on the dayside. Occurrence maps indicate that low‐frequency (<100 kHz) L‐O mode SKR may be obstructed by the Enceladus plasma torus due to the higher electron density, while high‐frequency (>100 kHz) emissions can pass through unhindered. Additionally, a substantial proportion of high‐latitude L‐O mode emissions exhibit strong elliptical polarization, contrasting with predominantly circular polarization observed at low latitudes.
ISSN:0094-8276
1944-8007