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The Composition and Structure of Planetary Rings

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Ices in the Solar System

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASIC,volume 156))

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Abstract

The properties of planetary ring systems are summarized herein; emphasis is given to the available evidence on their compositions and to their dynamical attributes. Somewhat contaminated water ice makes up the vast expanse of Saturn’s rings. Modified methane ice may comprise Uranus’ rings while silicates are the likely material of the Jovian ring. Saturn’s rings form an elaborate system whose characteristics are still being documented and whose nature is being unravelled following the Voyager flybys. Uranus’ nine narrow bands display an intriguing dynamical structure thought to be caused by unseen shepherd satellites. Jupiter’s ring system is a mere wisp, probably derived as ejecta off hidden parent bodies.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cornell University, USA

    Joseph A. Burns

Authors
  1. Joseph A. Burns
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Glaciologie du CNRS, Saint-Martin d’Heres, France

    Jürgen Klinger

  2. Observatorie de Nice, Nice, France

    Daniel Benest

  3. Observatoire de Meudon, Meudon, France

    Audouin Dollfus

  4. Astronomy Department, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA

    Roman Smoluchowski

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© 1985 D. Reidel Publishing Company

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Burns, J.A. (1985). The Composition and Structure of Planetary Rings. In: Klinger, J., Benest, D., Dollfus, A., Smoluchowski, R. (eds) Ices in the Solar System. NATO ASI Series, vol 156. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5418-2_44

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5418-2_44

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8891-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-5418-2

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