Planetary Dynamos: Investigations of Mars and Saturn

Sabine Stanley, University of Toronto

Magnetic field observations by spacecraft missions have provided vital information on planetary dynamos. The four giant planets as well as Earth, Mercury and Ganymede have observable magnetic fields generated by active dynamos. In contrast, Moon and Mars only have remanent crustal fields from dynamo action in their early histories. A variety of magnetic field morphologies and intensities can be found in the solar system. We have found that some of the differences between planetary magnetic fields can be explained as the result of the presence of boundary thermal variations or stably-stratified layers. In this talk, I will discuss how dynamos are affected by these complications and discuss the implications for Mars? magnetic dichotomy and Saturn’s extremely axisymmetric magnetic field.

Cette conférence s'adresse à tous, y compris les professeurs, les chercheurs et les étudiants des trois cycles. Le café est servi à partir de 11 h 20.

Profil de la professeure Stanley