Other
Scientific paper
Dec 1998
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1998dps....30.5511g&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #30, #55.P11; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 30, p.1449
Other
Scientific paper
The closest approach between Prometheus and Saturn's F ring has been analysed recently. This particular configuration is the result of the precessional variation of the orbits of the ring particles and Prometheus caused, primarily, by the oblateness of Saturn. The encounter takes place every 19 years. In this work we discuss some possible configurations of the F ring after meeting Prometheus. By simulating a single ring we can visualize the formation of a gap which is the result of the perturbation in the eccentricity and semi-major axis of the particle due to Prometheus. However, if a massive ring is assumed, our simulations show the variation of the length of the gap caused by the different values of the mass of the ring, as has been proposed by Showalter et al. (Icarus, 1992). Voyager images also revealed the structure of the F ring to be composed of clumps, kinks, braids and strands. The latter has been analysed by Murray et al. (1997) showing that the F ring has at least four non-intersecting strands. In this work we have also analysed the behaviour of the multiple strand structure of the F ring at this configuration. Our results suggest that a gap can be formed in the three inner strands. The primary contribution to the formation of such gap lies with those particles scattered to higher or lower energy orbits, a further, minor, contribution is made by those particles which colide with Prometheus. Since the outer strand is further from the satellite than the other three, the perturbation of Prometheus causes the formation of a non-sinusoidal wave with varying wavelength across this strand. Those regions that have experienced severe disruption will have a decrease in their optical depth, while there will be little change in the optical depth of the less disrupted strands. Therefore, in principle, this provides a mechanism for the production of kinks in strands with no apparent azimuthal structure (Giuliatti Winter et al., 1998). We also present a preliminary analysis of the particles after meeting Prometheus by analysing the variation of the Jacobi constant for the elliptical three body problem. { Acknowledgements:} SMGW thanks FUNDUNESP and FAPESP for the financial support.
Giuliatti Winter Silvia M.
Murray Carl D.
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