| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Winter, Othon C.
[1]
;
Souza, Alexandre P. S.
[1]
;
Sfair, Rafael
[1]
;
Giuliatti Winter, Silvia M.
[1]
;
Mourao, Daniela C.
[1]
;
Foryta, Dietmar W.
[2]
Total Authors: 6
|
| Affiliation: | [1] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Grp Dinam Orbital & Planetol, BR-12516410 Guaratingueta, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Parana UFPr, Curitiba, Parana - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL; v. 852, n. 1 JAN 1 2018. |
| Web of Science Citations: | 0 |
| Abstract | |
The Cassini spacecraft found a new and unique ring that shares the trajectory of Janus and Epimetheus, co-orbital satellites of Saturn. Performing image analysis, we found this to be a continuous ring. Its width is between 30% and 50% larger than previously announced. We also verified that the ring behaves like a firefly. It can only be seen from time to time, when Cassini, the ring, and the Sun are arranged in a particular geometric configuration, in very high phase angles. Otherwise, it remains ``in the dark,{''} invisible to Cassini's cameras. Through numerical simulations, we found a very short lifetime for the ring particles, less than a couple of decades. Consequently, the ring needs to be constantly replenished. Using a model of particle production due to micrometeorites impacts on the surfaces of Janus and Epimetheus, we reproduce the ring, explaining its existence and the ``firefly{''} behavior. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 11/08171-3 - Orbital dynamics of minor bodies |
| Grantee: | Othon Cabo Winter |
| Support Opportunities: | Research Projects - Thematic Grants |
| FAPESP's process: | 16/24561-0 - On the relevance of small bodies in orbital dynamics |
| Grantee: | Othon Cabo Winter |
| Support Opportunities: | Research Projects - Thematic Grants |