Some consequences of meteoroid impacts on Saturn's rings |
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| Authors: | GE Morfill H Fechtig E Grün CK Goertz |
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| Institution: | 1. Max-Plank-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, 8046 Garching, Germany;2. Max-Plank-Institut für Kernphysik, Postfach 10 39 80, 6900 Heidelberg, Germany;3. Max-Plank-Institut für Aeronomie, Postfach 20, 3411 Katlenburg-Lindau 3, West Germany |
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| Abstract: | High-velocity impacts of interplanetary meteoroids on Saturn's rings are discussed. It is shown that the neutral gas emitted by impact vaporization may be responsible, to a large part, for the observed neutral ring atmosphere. Both the predicted neutral gas injection rate and the gas temperature (or kinetic energy) are compatible with the measurements (see Broadfoot, A. L., B. R. Sandel, D. E. Shemansky, J. B. Holberg, G. R. Smith, D. F. Strobel, J. C. McConnell, S. Kumar, D. M. Hunten, S. K. Atreya, T. M. Dohnahne, H. W. Moos, J. L. Bertaux, J. E. Blamont, R. B. Pomphrey, and S. Linik, Science212, 206–211, 1981). Heavy ejecta particles produce a particulate ring “halo”. The physical properties of this halo are calculated, and it appears to be identical with the tenous particle population discussed by Baum and Kreidl (1982). Erosion of Saturn's ring particles, the resulting mass balance, and regolith formation are estimated. This provides some constraints on surface properties and optical albedo. |
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