The rings of Saturn - New near-infrared reflectance measurements and a 0. 326-4. 08 micron summary

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980 · Icarus; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(80)90116-5· OSTI ID:5701202

Clark, R N; McCord, T B

A new high-photometric-precision reflectance spectrum of Saturn's rings covering the spectral region 0.65 to 2.5 microns is presented and three previously unreported absorption features at 1.25, 0.85, and probably 1.04 microns are identified. The 1.25- and 1.04 micron absorptions are due to water ice. The 0.85 microns feature may be due to a combination of 0.81- and 0.90 micron ice absorptions but this feature appears too strong relative to the 1.04 micron band to be completely explained by water ice. Another possibility is that the 0.85 micron band is due to Fe(3+)-bearing minerals in an ice-mineral mixture. This explanation could also account for the drop in the visible and ultraviolet reflectance and the rise in reflectance around 3.6 microns. Finally, a composite spectrum from 0.325 to 4.08 is presented which will be useful for future analysis and laboratory studies.

• Research Organization: Hawaii, University, Honolulu, Hawaii
• OSTI ID: 5701202
• Journal Information: Icarus; (United States), Vol. 43
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
RINGS
SPECTRAL REFLECTANCE
SATURN PLANET
ICE
INFRARED SPECTRA
NEAR INFRARED RADIATION
VISIBLE SPECTRA
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
INFRARED RADIATION
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANETS
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA
640107* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Planetary Phenomena