Cassini CAPS‐ELS Observations of Low‐Energy Electron Beams Within Enceladus Mid‐Latitude Flux Tubes

作者：J. Rabia, Lina Hadid, Nicolás André, Quentin Nénon, T. Chust, D. Pisa, A. Parsec‐Wallis, A. J. Coates, A. M. Rymer · 发表于：Geophysical Research Letters · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1029/2025gl119448 · 被引用次数：1 · 研究领域：Astro and Planetary Science、Planetary Science and Exploration、Spacecraft Dynamics and Control

Abstract The electrodynamic interaction between Saturn's magnetosphere and Enceladus accelerates electrons along magnetic field lines. These electrons propagate inside magnetic flux tubes connecting the moon to the giant planet, generating distinctive auroral hiss and auroral footprint signatures, both previously observed by the Cassini spacecraft. In this study, we analyze low‐energy electron measurements made during multiple mid‐latitude crossings of magnetic flux tubes connected to Enceladus' wake. We show that the properties of the observed electrons are consistent with those of electrons inducing Enceladus' auroral hiss, and discuss the physical processes responsible for their pitch‐angle distributions and acceleration. Field‐aligned electron beams have very different properties from those triggering the Enceladus ultraviolet footprint, with a much lower characteristic energy and energy flux. Observations of electron beams resulting from the moon‐magnetosphere interactions up to 30° downstream of the moon reveal that the coupling system between Enceladus and Saturn is significantly more extended than previously anticipated.