VISIR/VLT observations of Saturn's rings

Details VISIR/VLT observations of Saturn's rings VISIR/VLT observations of Saturn's rings

Aug 2005

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2005dps....37.6208l&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #37, #62.08; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 37, p.764

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

Ring temperatures mainly depend on the local dynamics of particles and on the physical properties of their surface. Azimuthal temperature variations are expected in rings, due to the cooling of particles when crossing the planetary shadow, and to the heating by the central planet (Ferrari and Leyrat 2005). The amplitude and shape of these variations are specific of their thermal and rotational properties, i.e. their thermal inertia, their spin rate and orientation or their vertical excursions around the ring plane. We have observed the three main Saturn's rings (A, B and C) at low phase angle (6 degrees), on May 2004 and April 2005 at the Very Large Telescope (ESO), using the new mid-infrared spectro-imager VISIR. Rings have been observed in the Q band (19.5 microns) with a resolution of only 0.6 arcsec, in imaging mode. Three low resolution spectra of the west ansa have also been obtained in the wavelength range 9-14 microns. First results of these observations at high spatial resolution will be presented and discussed. They will also be compared to observations performed during the same epoch, with the CIRS spectrometer onboard the CASSINI spacecraft, at larger phase angles (Ferrari et al, this DPS).
This work has been supported by the "Programme National de Planetologie".

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

VISIR/VLT observations of Saturn's rings does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with VISIR/VLT observations of Saturn's rings, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and VISIR/VLT observations of Saturn's rings will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-953111