One thing that has always intrigued me about the rings of Saturn ISN'T the seven rings around it but the clear, uniform spaces IN-BETWEEN those rings! It would seem as though all rings would form into one big ring. What is it that keeps clear spaces between the rings?
2007-08-03 07:12:04 · 4 answers · asked by theNakedEye 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Gravity. 1st off, I'm assuming you already know that Saturn's rings are made up of dust and ice particles. If you're familiar with Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, you'll know that there are two basic gravitational interactions here: one between Saturn and the particles, and the other between the particles themselves. Saturn's high gravity will pull these particles in towards the planet. The force keeping the particles from collapsing on the planet or condensing into one ring are the interactions with each other; heavier particles in the ring are closer to themselves than they are to Saturn, and thus have a combined gravitational force that keeps them in place. Also, the Saturn's many moons have an effect on gravity.
The reason that the rings are darker than one another is that their composition is different, and thus their densities are also different. I may be incorrect on the order in which I have these listed, but I think the inner C & D rings are composed of mostly fine dust particles, which appear darker in photographs. The outer B & A rings are larger ice particles, and thus reflect more light and show up as the lighter parts of the rings. Gravity has a greater effect one one particle than the other, and explains why there are different bands. If there was one uniform material in the rings, then they would more likely form into one big ring.
There technically are particles in the "clear" spaces between the rings, but they aren't nearly as densley packed as they are in the A, B, C, and D rings. I suggest looking up "Shepherd moons" and "Roche limit" if you want to learn more about the subject.
2007-08-03 07:43:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
According to what was published in the newspapers, it was discovered several years ago that the clear space theory was wrong and that there are particles in between those rings.
2007-08-03 14:36:41 · answer #2 · answered by cidyah 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's a couple of factors, but the main is is the presence of "sheparding moons", that not only keep the rings uniform - but from falling apart.
2007-08-03 15:02:24 · answer #3 · answered by quantumclaustrophobe 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The moons
http://www.chara.gsu.edu/~ryle/Lecture27Post.pdf
They act like Zambonis for the rings. Read more about it.
2007-08-03 16:01:18 · answer #4 · answered by V. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋