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Density waves in Saturn's rings

Nature volume 292, pages 703–707 (1981)Cite this article

Abstract

Certain radial brightness variations in the outer Cassini division of Saturn's rings may be spiral density waves driven by Saturn's large moon Iapetus, in which case a value of ∼16 g cm−2 for the surface density is calculated in the region where the waves are seen. The kinematic viscosity in the same region is ∼170 cm2 s−1 and the vertical scale height of the ring is estimated to be a maximum of ∼40 m.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ames Research Center, NASA, Moffett Field, California, 94035, USA

    Jeffrey N. Cuzzi

  2. Department of Astronomy, University of California, Berkeley, 94720, California, USA

    Jack J. Lissauer & Frank H. Shu

Authors
  1. Jeffrey N. Cuzzi
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  2. Jack J. Lissauer
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  3. Frank H. Shu
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Cuzzi, J., Lissauer, J. & Shu, F. Density waves in Saturn's rings. Nature 292, 703–707 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/292703a0

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