On the Possibility of Formation of a Plasma-Dust Layer above the Surface of Enceladus, a Satellite of Saturn

Abstract

The dusty plasma above the surface of Enceladus, a satellite of Saturn, has been examined. A model for charging the surface of Enceladus as a result of its interaction with the surrounding plasma of Saturn’s magnetosphere, taking into account its characteristic parameters, namely, two types of ions: protons and ions of the so-called “water group” (e.g., O⁺, OH⁺, H₂O⁺, H₃O⁺, and N⁺ with an average atomic mass of about 16 amu); two types of electrons (“cold” and “hot” with corresponding different temperatures); as well as the influence of the photoelectric effect on the surface of Enceladus, and taking into account the reverse current of photoelectrons, has been developed. Within the framework of the proposed model, the surface charge of Enceladus, the characteristic profile of the electric field depending on the height above this surface, as well as the characteristic sizes of dust particles and the corresponding heights to which these particles are capable of rising as a result of the action of electrostatic repulsion forces from the charged surface of Enceladus have been determined.