Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jul 1984
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1984mnras.209..359s&link_type=abstract
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (ISSN 0035-8711), vol. 209, July 15, 1984, p. 359-371.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
6
Astronomical Models, Particle Size Distribution, Planetary Surfaces, Polarimetry, Saturn Rings, Atmospheric Models, Ice, Light Scattering, Linear Polarization, Microstructure, Planetology, Surface Roughness Effects
Scientific paper
A polarimetric model is used to investigate the scattering of light from the surface of particles in Saturn's B-ring. The model is used to evaluate the individual parameters involved in the scattering process and the manner in which they interrelate to produce their observed polarization curve. Theoretical polarization curves are developed and compared to published data for the B-ring. It is found that the form of the negative branch of the synthesized polarization curves is strongly affected by the degree of roughness of the stimulated surface relative to the wavelength of light and by the amount of depolarization in the scattered light. The model suggests that the surfaces of the particles in the Saturnian B-ring are fine-grained and covered with micron-sized pits rather than larger more complex structures. A comparison of the range of pit sizes suggests that the surface microstructure of the range of pit sizes suggests that the surface microstructure of the ring particles possesses a scale of roughness approximately 1/5 of that of the dust layer covering the lunar rocks. These results are found to be consistent with laboratory simulations which suggest that the surface of the ring particles consists of fine-grained water ice.
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