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Density waves in Saturn's rings

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Abstract

Certain radial brightness variations in the outer Cassini division of Saturn's rings may be spiral density waves driven by Saturn's large moon Iapetus, in which case a value of ∼16 g cm−2 for the surface density is calculated in the region where the waves are seen. The kinematic viscosity in the same region is ∼170 cm2 s−1 and the vertical scale height of the ring is estimated to be a maximum of ∼40 m.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ames Research Center, NASA, Moffett Field, California, 94035, USA

    Jeffrey N. Cuzzi

  2. Department of Astronomy, University of California, Berkeley, 94720, California, USA

    Jack J. Lissauer & Frank H. Shu

Authors
  1. Jeffrey N. Cuzzi
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  2. Jack J. Lissauer
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  3. Frank H. Shu
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Cuzzi, J., Lissauer, J. & Shu, F. Density waves in Saturn's rings. Nature 292, 703–707 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/292703a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/292703a0

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