Applied Orbit Perturbation and Maintenance C.-C. Chao Co-published by The Aerospace Press, 2350 East El Segundo Boulevard, El Segundo, CA 90245-4691, USA and American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Reston, VA 20191-4344, USA. 2005. 264pp. Illustrated. $54.95 (AIAA members), $79.95 (non-members). ISBN 1-884989-17-9.

2006 ◽  
Vol 110 (1106) ◽  
pp. 214
Author(s):  
Richard Crowther
Keyword(s):  
American Institute ◽  
Orbit Perturbation

Saturn's E, G and F rings: modulated by the plasma sheet

1984 ◽  
Vol 75 ◽  
pp. 597
Author(s):  
E. Grün ◽  
G.E. Morfill ◽  
T.V. Johnson ◽  
G.H. Schwehm
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Time Variable ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Spatial Diffusion ◽  
Drag Forces ◽  
Orbit Perturbation ◽  
Time Variations ◽  
F Ring

ABSTRACTSaturn's broad E ring, the narrow G ring and the structured and apparently time variable F ring(s), contain many micron and sub-micron sized particles, which make up the “visible” component. These rings (or ring systems) are in direct contact with magnetospheric plasma. Fluctuations in the plasma density and/or mean energy, due to magnetospheric and solar wind processes, may induce stochastic charge variations on the dust particles, which in turn lead to an orbit perturbation and spatial diffusion. It is suggested that the extent of the E ring and the braided, kinky structure of certain portions of the F rings as well as possible time variations are a result of plasma induced electromagnetic perturbations and drag forces. The G ring, in this scenario, requires some form of shepherding and should be akin to the F ring in structure. Sputtering of micron-sized dust particles in the E ring by magnetospheric ions yields lifetimes of 102to 104years. This effect as well as the plasma induced transport processes require an active source for the E ring, probably Enceladus.

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