On a ring origin of the equatorial ridge of Iapetus
Abstract
Most recent Cassini observations by the Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) showed that the third largest Saturnian satellite, Iapetus, has a curious ridge system exactly aligned with its equator [Porco et al., 2005]. Because Iapetus has a large Hill sphere for the trapping of circum-satellitary material, a ring system might have been present during its formation. A scenario is proposed to describe how the equatorial ridge system could have been produced by the collisional accretion of a ring remnant subsequent to the formation of the proto-Iapetus.
- Publication:
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Geophysical Research Letters
- Pub Date:
- August 2006
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 2006GeoRL..3316203I
- Keywords:
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- Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Saturnian satellites;
- Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Rings and dust;
- Planetary Sciences: Fluid Planets: Orbital and rotational dynamics (1221);
- Planetary Sciences: Comets and Small Bodies: Interactions with solar wind plasma and fields