Saturn
Abstract
C. Roddier, F. Roddier, J. E. Graves and M. J. Northcott, Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii (UH), report: "Infrared images of Saturn's rings were taken on 1995 Aug. 12 with the UH adaptive-optics system mounted on the Canada-France-Hawaii telescope. After careful processing, evidence was found for a faint streak of light moving away from Saturn at the level of the E ring. The object is elongated in the direction of Saturn with a sharp edge on Saturn's side and a fuzzy tail on the other side. Assuming motion on a keplerian orbit, the object's orbital radius must be within a few km of that of Saturn II (Enceladus). The object's sharp edge is ahead of Enceladus by an orbital longitude of 75 deg. Its orbit is inclined by about 2 deg with respect to the ring plane. The object could possibly be an arc structure confined by gravitational interaction with both Saturn I (Mimas) and Enceladus."
- Publication:
-
International Astronomical Union Circular
- Pub Date:
- July 1997
- Bibcode:
- 1997IAUC.6697....1R