Magnetosphere Imaging Instrument ( Mimi ) on the Cassini Mission to Saturn / Titan

Saturn • Determine the global configuration and dynamics of hot plasma in the magnetosphere of Saturn through energetic neutral particle imaging of ring current, radiation belts, and neutral clouds. • Study the sources of plasmas and energetic ions through in situ measurements of energetic ion composition, spectra, charge state, and angular distributions. • Search for, monitor, and analyze magnetospheric substorm-like activity at Saturn. • Determine through the imaging and composition studies the magnetosphere– satellite interactions at Saturn and understand the formation of clouds of neutral hydrogen, nitrogen, and water products. • Investigate the modification of satellite surfaces and atmospheres through plasma and radiation bombardment. • Study Titan’s cometary interaction with Saturn’s magnetosphere (and the solar wind) via high-resolution imaging and in situ ion and electron measurements. • Measure the high energy (E e > 1 MeV, E p > 15 MeV) particle component in the inner (L < 5 R S ) magnetosphere to assess cosmic ray albedo neutron decay (CRAND) source characteristics. • Investigate the absorption of energetic ions and electrons by the satellites and rings in order to determine particle losses and diffusion processes within the magnetosphere. • Study magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling through remote sensing of aurora and in situ measurements of precipitating energetic ions and electrons.