The Near-Saturn Magnetic Field Environment

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxv

   PDF

2. Introduction to Space Plasmas

   • Ali Haidar Sulaiman

   Pages 1-22

3. The Sun-Saturn Connection

   • Ali Haidar Sulaiman

   Pages 23-38

4. Spacecraft and Instrumentation

   • Ali Haidar Sulaiman

   Pages 39-46

5. Magnetic Field Characterisation of Saturn’s Bow Shock

   • Ali Haidar Sulaiman

   Pages 47-62

6. Quasi-Perpendicular High Mach Number Collisionless Shocks

   • Ali Haidar Sulaiman

   Pages 63-75

7. The Magnetic Structure of Saturn’s Magnetosheath

   • Ali Haidar Sulaiman

   Pages 77-93

8. Summary and Perspective

   • Ali Haidar Sulaiman

   Pages 95-97

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.

• Cassini Spacecraft
• Collisionless Shock Waves
• Saturn Magnetosphere
• Alfven Mach Number
• Specular Reflection
• Saturn Magnetosheath

• Dept. of Physics, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London , London, United Kingdom

  Ali Haidar Sulaiman

Dr. Sulaiman graduated from Imperial College London with a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering with first class honors. He holds a Ph.D. in Space Physics at Imperial College London under Professor Michele Dougherty FRS. He is currently a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Iowa.

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