Fine-scale density wave structure of Saturn's A, B, and C rings
Abstract
In view of the possibility of employing Cassini's experiments for the diagnosis of the Saturnian ring system, local N-body simulations of low and moderately high optical depth regions of Saturn's main rings are presented. A special emphasis is made on fine-scale spiral structures (irregular cylindric wave-type structures of the order of 100 m or so) of Saturn's A, B, and C rings. It is predicted that Cassini spacecraft high-resolution images of Saturn's rings will reveal this kind of small-scale irregular density wave structure.
- Publication:
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IAU Colloq. 197: Dynamics of Populations of Planetary Systems
- Pub Date:
- February 2005
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 2005dpps.conf..459G
- Keywords:
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- Planets;
- Saturn's rings;
- waves and instabilities;
- $N$-body simulations.