thanks
2007-09-10 11:30:39 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The tiny particles in the rings, that make the rings look more-or-less 'solid' would tend to wander off (like sheep out of a pasture), but the shepard moons keep those gap lanes clear, acting like shepherds, keeping the little sheep particles in the pasture (or sucking them up if they get into the 'lane').
.
2007-09-10 11:38:19 · answer #1 · answered by tlbs101 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
they are small 'moons' that keep the fragments that make for the rings in place and not spreading out
Saturn also has dancing moons that catch up to eachother and rotate around eachother occationally and go their way
Most of the large gas giants have moons going in both directions of orbit clockwise and counter clockwise
the earth's moon is by far the largest relative to the size of the planet orbitted and the only one causing a total eclipse and the only one visible and the only one that can be appreciated by the people on the planet since there are only people on earth and the earth being the only planet with both a thick and a clear atmosphere capable of observing the universe and supporting life
2007-09-10 11:44:13 · answer #2 · answered by whirlingmerc 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
he's right
2007-09-10 11:41:34 · answer #3 · answered by Steven T 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋