第九届青年地学论坛

Considering the absorption loss by five of Saturn’s inner moons, we simulate the temporal and spatial evolution of Saturn’s radiation belt electron fluxes based on a radial diffusion model. The resultant electron pitch angle and energy spectrum distribution are analyzed. Our modeling results show that the electron fluxes presenting different L-shell distributions due to the radial diffusion, and decreasing obviously due to moon absorption near the moon orbits. The moon Mimas has the strongest absorption effects on electrons with the narrowest affecting L-shell range, while the moon Rhea has the weakest absorption effects with the widest affecting L-shell range. We demonstrate that the absorption of Saturn’s moons strongly affects the pitch angle distribution of high energy electrons above several MeV. Moon absorption also significantly affects the energy spectrum distribution, expect for ~1 MeV electrons with drift velocities close to the Kepler velocities of moons. Our modeling results provide a further understanding of the influence of the absorption loss by Saturn's moons on the dynamic evolution of radiation belt electrons, as well as the competing effects of moon absorption and radial diffusion.
 

Saturn radiation belt,energetic electron,radial diffusion,moon absorption