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Spontaneous axisymmetry breaking of the external magnetic field at Saturn

Spontaneous axisymmetry breaking of the external magnetic field at Saturn

Saturn's magnetic field is remarkably axisymmetric. Its dipole axis is inclined by less than 0.2 deg with respect to its rotation axis. Rotationally driven convection of magnetospheric plasma breaks the axisymmetry of its external magnetic field. Field aligned currents transfer angular momentum from the planet to a tongue of outflowing …