Findings on Rings and Inner Satellites of Saturn by Pioneer 11.
Abstract
The introductory part of this paper gives a short account of the theory of absorption by planetary rings and satellites of energetic charged particles that are trapped in a planet's magnetic field and describes the observable consequences of such absorption processes. The University of Iowa observations of absorption features during Pioneer 11's passage through Saturn's inner radiation belt on 1 September 1979 are critically reanalyzed and related to other evidence on rings and inner satellites, especially that from Voyagers 1 and 2. It is found: (a) that satellites 1979 S1, 1979 S2, and 1980 S3 are almost certainly identical; (b) that 1979 S4 appears to be the shadow of an otherwise unreported satellite of radius < or approx = 25 km at an orbital radius of 151,300 + or - 80 km and at a longitude between 195 deg and 208 deg at JED 244 4118.25654; (c) that 1979 S5 and two other nearby absorption features and 1979 S6 and one other nearby absorption feature are probably caused by longitudinal and radial structure of Ring F; and (d) that absorption feature 1979 S3 at 169,300 + or - 600 km is identified with Ring G. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA112750
Entities
People
- James A. van Allen
Organizations
- University of Iowa