Evidence of Accretion in Saturn's F Ring (Invited)

Details Evidence of Accretion in Saturn's F Ring (Invited) Evidence of Accretion in Saturn's F Ring (Invited)

Dec 2010

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010agufm.p33d..03a&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2010, abstract #P33D-03

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

[6265] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Planetary Rings

Scientific paper

Lying slightly outside the classical Roche radius and being strongly perturbed by the adjacent moons Prometheus and Pandora, Saturn's F ring represents a unique astrophysical laboratory for examining the processes of mass accretion and moonlet formation. Recent images from the Cassini spacecraft reveal optically thick clumps, capable of casting shadows, and associated structures in regions of the F ring following close passage by Prometheus. Here we examine the accretion environment of the F ring and Prometheus' role in moonlet formation and evolution. Using the observed structures adjacent to these clumps and dynamical arguments we estimate the masses of these clumps and find them comparable to that of ~10-20-km contiguous moonlets. Further, we show that Prometheus' perturbations on the F ring create regions of enhanced density and low relative velocity that may accelerate the accretion of clumps and moonlets.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Evidence of Accretion in Saturn's F Ring (Invited) 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 Evidence of Accretion in Saturn's F Ring (Invited), we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Evidence of Accretion in Saturn's F Ring (Invited) will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1496900