Particle Aggregation Dynamics in Dense Planetary Rings

Details Particle Aggregation Dynamics in Dense Planetary Rings Particle Aggregation Dynamics in Dense Planetary Rings

Sep 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009dps....41.2204p&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #41, #22.04

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

We continue our study of the dynamics of rigid aggregates, in the context of a local N-body simulation of planetary rings. Our modified version of pkdgrav now includes the unique capability to simulate the creation and destruction of rigid bonds of arbitrary strength between colliding particles in a non-inertial rotating frame. We have applied this model to dense planetary rings, such as Saturn's A and B rings, as interparticle sticking is hypothesized to occur between its icy particles. Laboratory experiments, such as Hatzes (1991), suggest that such bonding is common if the particles are coated in a layer of frost. And Tremaine (2003) suggests that radial structures in Saturn's B ring can be explained by invoking the presence of large bonded aggregates.
The strength of these icy bonds is highly uncertain, however, so the potential parameter space to investigate is large. We present results from simulations exploring some of these parameters, particularly sticking and fragmentation thresholds, and shear and tensile bond strength, with the goal to determine the equilibrium state of the particles (wake formation and structure, aggregate size and shape, etc.) as a function of these parameters.
This work is supported by a NASA Earth and Space Sciences Fellowship (NESSF).

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