This thesis focuses on the very high Mach number shock wave that is located sunward of Saturn's strong magnetic field in the continuous high-speed flow of charged particles from the Sun (the solar wind). The author exploits the fact that the Cassini spacecraft is the only orbiter in a unique parameter regime, far different from the more familiar near-Earth space, to provide in-situ insights into the unreachable exotic regime of supernova remnants. This thesis bridges the gap between shock physics in the Solar System and the physics of ultra-high Mach number shocks around the remnants of supernova explosions, since to date research into the latter has been restricted to theory, remote observations, and simulations.
Introduction to Space Plasmas.- Definition and Characteristics of Plasmas.- Plasma vs Neutral Gas.- Single Particle Motion.- Magnetohydrodynamics.- The Induction Equation and Flux Freezing.- Kinetic Description.- Applicability of MHD and Kinetic Simulations of Plasmas.- Collisionless MHD Waves.- Fundamentals of Shock Waves.- Collisionless Shock Waves.- State Variables and Control Parameters.- Criticality.- Particle Dynamics and the DC Electric Field.- Shock Frames of Reference.- Quasi-parallel Shocks.- The Sun-Saturn Connection.- The Solar Wind.- Properties at 10 AU.- The Kronian Environment.- Spacecraft Encounters.- Saturns Magnetosphere.- Dungey vs Vasyliunas Cycles.- The KSM Coordinate System.- Cassini Observations of Saturns Dayside Environment.- Motivation of this Thesis.- Spacecraft and Instrumentation.- The Cassini-Huygens Spacecraft.- Cassini Fluxgate Magnetometer.- Calibration.- Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Science (RPWS) Instrument.- Cassini Ion Mass Spectrometer (CAPS/IMS).-&al3”
![The Near-Saturn Magnetic Field Environment [Hardcover]](/itemImage/2/4/6/9/2_950076.jpg "The Near-Saturn Magnetic Field Environment [Hardcover] xxx")