Dynamical and photometric studies of Saturn's rings

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6821389

Dones, Jr, H C

Imaging and occultation data returned by the two Voyager spacecraft have deepened understanding of dynamical processes operating in Saturn's rings. Saturn's outermost, or A, ring was investigated here in light of this data. Most structure seen in the A ring is caused by spiral density waves, which are regular oscillations in the optical depth of the rings. Density waves are excited at horizontal resonances with the inner satellites of Saturn. Most waves are weakly nonlinear and propagate for only a few wavelengths before they damp. The damping length is somewhat longer in regions of high optical depth. A theory of the viscous damping of nonlinear density waves in the rings is formulated. The energy input by the wave must be offset, in a steady state, by dissipation through inelastic collisions between ring particles. Voyage images of the A ring are analyzed to determine how the brightness of different regions varies with illumination and viewing geometry. The data are modeled with a radiative-transfer code that includes the illumination of the rings by the Sun and Saturn. Finally, the azimuthally asymmetric reflectivity of the A ring seen in Voyager images taken in backscatter is characterized.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Berkeley (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6821389
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATMOSPHERES
DAMPING
DATA ANALYSIS
ENERGY LOSSES
LOSSES
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
OSCILLATIONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETS
REFLECTIVITY
SATURN PLANET
SPACE VEHICLES
SURFACE PROPERTIES
VEHICLES
VOYAGER SPACE PROBES