VOYAGER 1: Saturn Plasma Ion Density Estimates

Voyager 1 spacecraft data provides estimates of ion moment density in the PLS voltage range (10-5950 eV/Q) during its encounter with Saturn. The data set is described in detail in Lazarus and McNutt (1983). Rigid corotation is assumed, which may lead to underestimates of density in some regions.

Use Cases

• Analyzing plasma density variations in Saturn's magnetosphere based on ion moment estimates.
• Studying the limitations of rigid corotation assumptions for plasma modeling.
• Comparing derived density estimates with other measurements for validation.
• Investigating transonic plasma behavior in specific regions of the magnetosphere.

Strengths

• Data originates from the Voyager 1 spacecraft encounter with Saturn.
• Specific voltage range for ion measurements is defined (10-5950 eV/Q).
• Primary reference publication is provided (Lazarus and McNutt, 1983).

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• The description notes densities may be underestimated by a factor of 2-3 in the inner magnetosphere.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Derived from Voyager 1 Plasma Science (PLS) instrument measurements.

Time Range

During the Voyager 1 Saturn encounter.

Geography

Saturn's magnetosphere.