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Modeling of the Saturnian Ring System

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 May 2016

Evgeny Griv ,
Edward Liverts ,
Michael Gedalin  and
Chi Yuan
Evgeny Griv
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel
Edward Liverts
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel
Michael Gedalin
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel
Chi Yuan
Affiliation:
Institute of Astronomy, Academia Sinica, Taipei 106, Taiwan

Abstract

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A self-consistent system of the Boltzmann equation and the Poisson equation is used to study the dynamical evolution of Saturn's main A, B, and C rings. The theory, as applied to the Saturnian ring system, predicts for several features, such as numerous irregular density wakes, with size and spacing between them of the order 4πρ ≈ 2πh, where ρ is the mean epicycle radius of the particle and h is the typical thickness of the system under study. In Saturn's rings, ρ ≲ 10 m. Computer N-body experiments are desribed which test the validities of the theory. Use of the 112-processor SGI Origin 2000 supercomputer is enabled us to make long runs using a large number of particles in the direct simulation code and thus simulate phenomena not previously studied numerically. We predict that forthcoming in 2004 Cassini spacecraft high-resolution images will reveal this recurrent fine-scale ∼ 100 m or so structure in low and moderately high optical depth regions of the rings.

Type
Planetary Formation
Information
Symposium - International Astronomical Union , Volume 208: Astrophysical Supercomputing using Particle Simulations , 2003 , pp. 45 - 52
Copyright
Copyright © Astronomical Society of the Pacific 2003 

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