Publications by authors named "Krishan K Khurana"

Triton, the largest satellite of Neptune, is in a retrograde orbit and is likely a captured Kuiper Belt Object (KBO). Triton has a mean density of only 2.061 gm/cm and is therefore believed to have a 250-400 km thick hydrosphere.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

During 2017, the Cassini fluxgate magnetometer made in situ measurements of Saturn's magnetic field at distances ~2550 ± 1290 kilometers above the 1-bar surface during 22 highly inclined Grand Finale orbits. These observations refine the extreme axisymmetry of Saturn's internal magnetic field and show displacement of the magnetic equator northward from the planet's physical equator. Persistent small-scale magnetic structures, corresponding to high-degree (>3) axisymmetric magnetic moments, were observed.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Extensive volcanism and high-temperature lavas hint at a global magma reservoir in Io, but no direct evidence has been available. We exploited Jupiter's rotating magnetic field as a sounding signal and show that the magnetometer data collected by the Galileo spacecraft near Io provide evidence of electromagnetic induction from a global conducting layer. We demonstrate that a completely solid mantle provides insufficient response to explain the magnetometer observations, but a global subsurface magma layer with a thickness of over 50 kilometers and a rock melt fraction of 20% or more is fully consistent with the observations.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • - Cassini's first close encounter with Titan on October 26, 2004 revealed a unique magnetic field signature, analyzed using an advanced modeling approach.
  • - As Cassini approached Titan, it experienced a magnetic field minimum indicating it entered the magnetic ionopause layer, followed by a shift into the southern magnetic tail lobe.
  • - Throughout the encounter, the magnetic field remained relatively constant for about 20 Titan radii, with a notable change in orientation at Titan's orbit, but no internal magnetic field from Titan was detected.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Liquid water is essential for life, so finding it on other celestial bodies is crucial for the search for extraterrestrial life.
  • Geological data from the Galileo spacecraft suggests there might be a subsurface ocean on the Jovian moon Europa.
  • Using two advanced observatories with a magnetometer and seismometer could help us better understand Europa's ocean structure and the composition of its icy crust and underlying water.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF