The composition of Saturn's E ring |
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| Authors: | Jon K Hillier S F Green N McBride J P Schwanethal F Postberg R Srama S Kempf G Moragas-Klostermeyer J A M McDonnell E Grün |
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| Institution: | Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA;Department of Earth Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA;MPI für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany;Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawaii, 1680 East West Road, POST 512c, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA |
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| Abstract: | We present the first in situ direct measurement of the composition of particles in Saturn's rings. The Cassini cosmic dust analyser (CDA) measured the mass spectra of nearly 300 impacting dust particles during the 2004 October E ring crossing. An initial interpretation of the data shows that the particles are predominantly water ice, with minor contributions from possible combinations of silicates, carbon dioxide, ammonia, molecular nitrogen, hydrocarbons and perhaps carbon monoxide. This places constraints on both the composition of Enceladus, the main source of the E ring, as well as the grain formation mechanisms. |
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| Keywords: | planets: rings planets and satellites: individual: Enceladus |
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