Voyager 2 Saturn Plasma: Derived Ion Parameters from 96-Second Spectra

VOYAGER 2 data from Saturn provides plasma densities, temperatures, and velocities derived by fitting measured ion spectra with isotropic Maxwellian distributions. The dataset includes formal 1-sigma errors for parameters in the 10-5950 eV/Q range, as documented in Richardson (1986). It was produced by NASA's Voyager 2 mission and last updated on the platform in March 2026.

Use Cases

• Modeling Saturn's magnetospheric plasma composition based on fitted proton and heavy ion species.
• Analyzing plasma thermal speeds and velocities in a cylindrical coordinate system centered on the planet.
• Studying the reliability of plasma parameter fits in regions where spectra change rapidly (outside L:10-12).
• Comparing derived ion densities and temperatures against other spacecraft measurements.

Strengths

• Includes formal 1-sigma uncertainties for derived plasma parameters, providing error estimates.
• Spectra were fitted using the full response function of the instrument for specific modes.
• Documentation references peer-reviewed sources (Richardson, 1986; Bridge, 1977).

Limitations

• Position and magnetic field values are approximate and flagged as unreliable for publication.
• Parameters with values and uncertainties of 0 were not fitted due to insufficient data.
• Data outside L:10-12 may not represent average plasma conditions due to rapid spectral changes.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Voyager 2 mission.

Collection Method

Derived from fitting measured ion spectra from the PLS instrument with isotropic Maxwellian distributions.

Time Range

Voyager 2 Saturn encounter period (likely 1981).

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 14:07:00.844039; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Saturn's magnetosphere.