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September 10, 2025Geophysical Research Letters0 citationsOpen Access

Statistical Study on L‐O Mode Saturn Kilometric Radiation

JPJunlin PanBeijing Normal University SWSiyuan WuUniversity of Southampton SYShengyi YeSouth China Normal University

Key Points

L‐O mode SKR emissions show a preference for lower latitudes, with higher occurrence rates observed during daylight hours.
The frequency range of L‐O mode emissions spans below 10 kHz to about 1,000 kHz, with spectral flux densities indicative of their intensity.
Maps indicate that low‐frequency L‐O mode emissions are obstructed by the Enceladus plasma torus, while high‐frequency emissions pass freely.
High‐latitude L‐O mode emissions exhibit strong elliptical polarization, contrasting with the circular polarization at low latitudes.

Abstract

Abstract Based on the 13 years‐long observation of Saturn kilometric radiation (SKR) by the Cassini/Radio and Plasma Wave Science instrument, this study derives statistics for left‐hand (L‐O) mode SKR emissions. These emissions span a frequency range from below 10 kHz to approximately 1,000 kHz, with spectral flux densities ranging between 10 −24 and 10 −18 W/(m 2 Hz) consistent with, although fainter than, right‐hand mode SKR. Predominantly observed within 20 Saturn radii, the occurrence rates of L‐O mode SKR exhibit a preference below 20° in latitude, and a local time asymmetry with a higher occurrence rate on the dayside. Occurrence maps indicate that low‐frequency (100 kHz) emissions can pass through unhindered. Additionally, a substantial proportion of high‐latitude L‐O mode emissions exhibit strong elliptical polarization, contrasting with predominantly circular polarization observed at low latitudes.

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