Konstantin Kim (IRF Uppsala): Dynamic processes in Titan's plasma environment (pre-defence seminar)

Thursday 4 Jun 2026, 14:00 → 15:00 Europe/Stockholm

Å2001

Title: Dynamic processes in Titan's plasma environment
Speaker: Konstantin Kim
Affiliation: IRF Uppsala
Room: Å2001 
Time: 14:00-15:00

Abstract:
Titan is the only moon with a dense atmosphere and has a dynamic plasma environment, standing out among all moons of the Solar System. The interaction between Saturn's magnetosphere and Titan's dense atmosphere leads to the formation of the interface between the two environments, the induced magnetospheric boundary (IMB). In this seminar, the overall and local structure and processes shaping this region are presented. The measurements of the magnetic field and plasma parameters from a total of 126 Titan flybys by Cassini-Huygens (orbiting Saturn from 2004 to 2017) are used to determine the overall electromagnetic and plasma structure of the IMB and the outflow region. We found that the IMB consists of localized current sheets and that the magnetotail forms an Alfvén wing structure as a result of the interaction. In addition, it is shown that low-frequency waves may contribute to the energy dispersion of ionospheric electrons when Titan is near Saturn's magnetopause. The results also reveal that the IMB of Titan exhibits an asymmetry driven by the gyromotion of pickup ions following the convective electric field.