Saturn's Magnetosphere
Saturn's magnetic field also defines a zone about it, or a magnetosphere in which it can control the motions of subatomic particles. The Saturnian magnetosphere is intermediate, in size and in the intensity of the magnetic field, between that of jupiter and the earth. AI three are based on a common framework of physica principles; yet each possesses its own distinctive character.
Prior to the late summer of 1979 astronomers could only speculate on the magnetic field and radiation belts around Saturn. During that summer Pioneer 11 detected the boundary of the magnetosphere lying some 24 Saturnian radii from the planet (its rings extend about six radii from the center of the planet). Saturn's magnetosphere is apparently more disklike than that of the earth, which is more spherical but less so than Jupiter's larger magnetosphere.
Beyond Saturn we expect to find that Uranus and Neptune possess magnetic fields to create magnetospheres about themselves as do Jupiter and Saturn. However, until Voyager 2 makes its pass by Uranus in 1986 and Neptune in 1989, we shall not have confirming evidence for their existence.
