2006-07-24 00:04:53 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Saturn's ring system makes the planet one of the most beautiful objects in the solar system. The rings are split into a number of different parts, which include the bright A and B rings and a fainter C ring. The ring system has various gaps. The most notable gap is the Cassini [kah-SEE-nee] Division, which separates the A and B rings. Giovanni Cassini discovered this division in 1675. The Encke [EN-kee] Division, which splits the A Ring, is named after Johann Encke, who discovered it in 1837. Space probes have shown that the main rings are really made up of a large number of narrow ringlets. The origin of the rings is obscure. It is thought that the rings may have been formed from larger moons that were shattered by impacts of comets and meteoroids. The ring composition is not known for certain, but the rings do show a significant amount of water. They may be composed of icebergs and/or snowballs from a few centimeters to a few meters in size. Much of the elaborate structure of some of the rings is due to the gravitational effects of nearby satellites. This phenomenon is demonstrated by the relationship between the F-ring and two small moons that shepherd the ring material.
Radial, spoke-like features in the broad B-ring were also found by the Voyagers. The features are believed to be composed of fine, dust-size particles. The spokes were observed to form and dissipate in the time-lapse images taken by the Voyagers. While electrostatic charging may create spokes by levitating dust particles above the ring, the exact cause of the formation of the spokes is not well understood.
2006-07-24 00:08:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Saturn's rings would not be prominent from most of the moons. This is because the rings, though wide, are not very thick, and most of the moons orbit almost exactly (within 1.5°) in the planet's ring plane. Thus, the rings are edge-on and practically invisible from the inner moons. From the outer moons, starting with Iapetus, a more oblique view of the rings would be available, although the greater distance would make Saturn appear smaller in the sky; from Phoebe, the largest of Saturn's outermost moons, Saturn would appear only as big as the full Moon does from Earth. The play of distance and angle is quite sensitive to the values used, but calculations show the best view of the rings would be achieved from the inner moon Mimas, which lies a full 1.5° off Saturn's equatorial plane and is fairly near the rings. At their widest opening, when Mimas is at its maximum distance from Saturn's equatorial plane, the edges of the rings (from B to A) would be separated by 2.7 degrees. The co-orbitals Epimetheus and Janus would also get a good view, with maximum opening angles ranging between 1.5 and 2.9°. Tethys gets the next best view, with nearly half a degree. Iapetus achieves 0.20°, which is more than any of the outer moons can claim.
2006-07-24 08:41:27 · answer #2 · answered by xrider143 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dust. Meteorites.
2006-07-24 07:07:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ice particles, dust, chunks of rock and ice of varying size (but none larger than a house).
2006-07-24 07:10:17 · answer #4 · answered by ozzie35au 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dust particles and Gas
2006-07-24 08:32:24 · answer #5 · answered by R G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
since the answer is given above
Saturns rings are giant jelly doughnuts
2006-07-24 08:16:08 · answer #6 · answered by blind_chameleon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Debris.
2006-07-24 07:59:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ice and dust
2006-07-24 07:08:28 · answer #8 · answered by John D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dust, rocks, ice, and debris.
2006-07-24 07:08:25 · answer #9 · answered by The Apple Chick 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chinese chicken salad.
2006-07-24 07:38:34 · answer #10 · answered by l00kiehereu 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋