Other
Scientific paper
Sep 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009dps....41.2503s&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #41, #25.03
Other
Scientific paper
In this paper we give an overview of small-scale structure directly observed throughout Saturn's main rings. After 5 years of Cassini mission the UVIS instrument recorded more than hundred stellar occultations by Saturn's rings. Most of the observed occultations have excellent resolution on the order of ten meters. We use statistical and spectral methods (Fourier and wavelet transforms, and autocorrelations of the signal) to infer the properties of the microstructure. The multitude of observations allows us to infer the orientation and two-dimensional picture of the underlying structure.
Most of the A ring and outer B ring show 10-50m structure pitched by about 20 degrees from the orbital motion. These observations are consistent with Tomre type self-gravity wakes reported by other researchers, and moreover give direct spatial measurements.
The inner A ring and lower optical depth regions in the B ring show 100-200m scale regular waves. These waves have no pitch angle and are consistent with a viscous oscillatory instability, better known as overstability. Additionally, occultation geometry dependence of the observed optical depth indicates the presence of self-gravity wakes within the wave structure.
In higher optical depth regions of B ring the most dominant structure is irregular with spatial scales of about 100m. The structure has no pitch angle, thus it is aligned with the orbital motion, and is very distinct from the signature of either self-gravity wakes or overstable waves reported up to now. So far the only plausible theoretical candidate for the explanation is viscous or diffusion instability. Such interpretation would require either fairly elastic particle properties not observed so far, or alternatively small ring particles.
The C ring and Cassini division are void of obvious self-gravity wakes or overstable waves. However, few occultations of double stars indicate presence of microstructure possibly on scales smaller than instrument resolution.
Colwell Josh
Esposito W. L. W. L.
Miodrag Sremčević
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