Regular structure in the inner Cassini Division of Saturn's rings
Abstract
Analysis of regular structure in the inner Cassini Division of Saturn has been conducted using Voyager imaging (ISS), radio occultation (RSS), and stellar occultation (PPS) data, with the following results: (1) Virtually identical structure is observed in several Voyager images as was observed in the Voyager 1 RSS scan and identified by E. Marouf and G. Tyler (1986, Nature 323, 31-35) as the gravitational wakes of two 10-km-radius satellites orbiting within the division. Results of our analysis of this structure indicate that the regular optical depth variation observed by the RSS scan and the Voyager images is the same structure and that it is essentially azimuthally symmetric. We believe that this rules out the possibility that any large moonlets are responsible for the observed structure. Alternative possible causes of one set of the observed structure are discussed. (2) A comparison of a certain smaller-scale structure observed in the RSS scan with that seen in the same radial region at different longitudes in the Voyager 2 PPS scan may indicate the presence of a small (∼1-km-radius) moonlet orbiting within a minor gap of the division.
- Publication:
-
Icarus
- Pub Date:
- November 1989
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0019-1035(89)90030-4
- Bibcode:
- 1989Icar...82..180F
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Photography;
- Planetary Structure;
- Saturn Rings;
- Voyager Project;
- Optical Thickness;
- Radial Distribution;
- Radio Occultation;
- Stellar Occultation;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration, Earth Science