F Ring Dynamism

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Multimedia - Images - Rings

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Close-up view of Saturn's F ring

F Ring Dynamism

October 18, 2006 Full-Res: PIA08290

The Cassini spacecraft has revealed a never-before-seen level of detail in Saturn's F ring, including evidence for the perturbing effect of small moonlets orbiting in or close to the ring's bright core.

For some time, scientists have suspected the presence of tiny moonlets that orbit Saturn in association with the clumpy and braided-looking ring. As the small satellites move close to the F ring core they leave a gravitational signature. In some cases they can draw out material in the form of a "streamer"--a miniature version of the interaction Cassini has witnessed between Prometheus and the F ring material. The dynamics of this interaction are the same, but the scale is different. See Passing Lane for a view of Prometheus creating a streamer.

http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/images/image-details.cfm?imageID=2330

Wonderful! 8)