Dynamics of Saturn E ring Particles

By following the trajectories of a large number of particles we captured the seasonal variations of the density and spatial distributions of dust in Saturns E-ring. We have used an optimized set of parameters from our earlier ring models to match remote sensing, and in situ observations as well. We have now extended these models to incorporate the mass loss of dust particles due to sputtering as function of the local plasma environment, as well as the production of dust from a restricted area in the south pole region of Enceladus. Using ground based remote sensing observations, we are attempting to set limits on the dust production rate from this restricted region, the anisotropy of the dust production, and on the outflow velocities as function of dust size. These results will also be compared with in situ measurements from Pioneer, Voyager, and Cassini.