How Prometheus creates structure in Saturn's F ring

Carl D. Murray (), Carlos Chavez, Kevin Beurle, Nick Cooper, Michael W. Evans, Joseph A. Burns and Carolyn C. Porco
Additional contact information
Carl D. Murray: University of London
Carlos Chavez: University of London
Kevin Beurle: University of London
Nick Cooper: University of London
Michael W. Evans: University of London
Joseph A. Burns: Cornell University, Space Sciences Building
Carolyn C. Porco: Space Science Institute

Nature, 2005, vol. 437, issue 7063, 1326-1329

Abstract: Holding the ring The rings around Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are stabilized by small ‘shepherd moons’ that orbit in or near the rings and stabilize them by gravitational influences. The narrow F-ring of Saturn is tended by two shepherds, Prometheus and Pandora. Images of Saturn's F ring from the Cassini spacecraft have revealed structures never before seen in a planetary ring. The perturbing effect of Prometheus, the inner shepherding satellite, opens up channels through the F ring and forms a stream of particles (a ‘streamer’) linking the ring to the satellite.

Date: 2005
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DOI: 10.1038/nature04212

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