Authors: Lamy P. L. and Mauron N.
Year: 1981
Title: Observations of Saturn's outer ring and new satellites during the 1980 edge-on presentation
Journal: Icarus
Volume: 46
Pages: 181-186
Keywords: Saturn, ring, faint, observation, data, analysis, position, photographic
Abstract: A focal coronagraph was used to observe Saturn's satellites and external rings during the 1980 edge-on presentation. A satellite was detected traveling in the orbit of Dione, leading it by 72 degrees, close to the stable Lagrangian point L4. The outer E ring was observed extending symmetrically on the east and west sides, up to 8.3 to 8.5 Saturn radii, indicating that all the ring material lies inside the orbit or Rhea, and is gravitationally bound by the satellite. The E ring's varying brightness suggests an irregular distribution of material, and clumps or condensations of this material at Lagrangian points may be the transient ring knots. It is concluded that if the E ring's behavior is strongly affected by inner satellites, the satellites should suffer numerous collisions from the ring particles, and reflect this on their surface. Observatory: Haute Provence Observatory. Observers: P.Lamy, N.Mauron. Telescope: Chiran 1-m f/8 telescope. Receiver: photographic. Period: 1980.
%F: AB(CNRS, Laboratoire d'Astronomie Spatiale, Marseille, France)
Bibliogaphic Code: 1981Icar...46..181L
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