Iapetus probes the rings of Saturn.
Abstract
The 17-hour eclipse which occurred as the Saturnian moon Iapetus passed through the shadow cast by Saturn and its ring system provided a photometric study of the particles in the ring system. Attention is given to the history of Iapetus eclipse observations. The particles appear to be fragments of water ice ranging in size from 1 to 10 cm and having a high albedo and strongly backscatter sunlight. The observation that the outer main ring seems to reflect sunlight asymmetrically may be explained by the gravitational forces within the ring. The discovery of faint outer rings is discussed noting theories regarding thier composition.
- Publication:
-
New Scientist
- Pub Date:
- October 1977
- Bibcode:
- 1977NewSc..76..140H
- Keywords:
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- Astronomical Photometry;
- Eclipses;
- Iapetus;
- Saturn Rings;
- Brightness;
- Optical Reflection;
- Particle Density (Concentration);
- Particle Size Distribution;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration;
- Saturn Rings:Particles