Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Sep 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006dps....38.3805m&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #38, #38.05; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 38, p.552
Mathematics
Logic
1
Scientific paper
Much new knowledge about Ring B has been acquired by a series of eight Cassini radio occultations completed from May 3 to September 5, 2005. The optimized occultation geometry and the relatively large ring opening angle (19 to 23.6 degrees) allowed detailed structure profiling, revealing remarkable variability with radius. Four regions of distinct structural morphology, identified for short as B1, B2, B3, and B4, are bounded by the rough radius values 92, 99, 104.5, 110, 117.5 thousand km. Region B1 has the smallest normal optical depth τ (1 to 2) and is characterized by the presence of two well-known flat features. Region B2 hosts remarkable structure unlike any previously seen, characterized by a series of abrupt and deep transitions in τ from about 1 and to > 4 over tens to hundreds of kilometers scales. Region B3 hosts the most optically thick features of Ring B (τ > 5.5). The features are separated by narrow "lanes” of substantially less opacity (τ < 3). Region B4 is moderately optically thick (1.5 to 3.5) and has structure morphology different from all other three regions. Comparison of ring profiles at eight different inertial longitudes reveal remarkable morphological consistency. The clear exceptions are over the coorbitals 2:1 density wave region in B1 and the outer region of B4. Other observed longitudinal variability include small changes is measured τ values of morphologically identical features. The variability appears caused by elongated correlation in the spatial distribution of ring particles (Ring-A-like gravitaional wakes). It's a geometric, and not intrinsic, ring asymmetry caused by different viewing geometry of the rings microstructure relative to Earth-Saturn direction. Evidence for the presence of these elongated spatial correlation is also present in the observed near-forward scattered signal and seems to imply different characteristics than those for Ring A.
Anabtawi Aseel
French Richard G.
Marouf Essam A.
McGhee Colleen Anne
Rappaport Nicole J.
No associations
LandOfFree
Structure and Properties of Saturn's Ring B from Cassini Radio Occultations 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 Structure and Properties of Saturn's Ring B from Cassini Radio Occultations, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Structure and Properties of Saturn's Ring B from Cassini Radio Occultations will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1000657