Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

A possible link between the rotation of Saturn and its ring structure

Nature volume 295, pages 128–130 (1982)Cite this article

Abstract

We present here evidence that two previously unidentified, yet conspicuous gaps in Saturn's rings lie at distances corresponding to 2/3 and 4/3 of the planet's rotation period. Gaps such as these can be produced in a ring of large bodies or small uncharged particles only by a non-axisymmetric gravitational field (both of the above can be associated with the l = m = 3 harmonic), a fact that is relevant to models of planetary interiors.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Collins, S. A. et al. Nature 288, 439–442 (1980).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. Goldreich, P. & Tremaine, S. Icarus 34, 240 (1978).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Smith, B. A. et al. Science 212, 163 (1981).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Warwick, J. et al. Science 212, 239 (1981).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Kaula, W. M. Theory of Satellite Geodesy (Blaisdell, 1966).

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  6. Null, G. W. et al. Astr. J. 86, 456 (1981).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. Cuzzi, J. N., Lissauer, J. J. & Shu, F. H. Nature 292, 703–707 (1981).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  8. Goldreich, P. & Tremaine, S. Astrophys. J. 241, 425 (1980).

    Article  ADS  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  9. Smoluchowski, R. Nature 274, 669 (1978).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  10. Jewitt, D. C. & Danielson, G. E. J. geophys. Res. (in the press).

  11. Stevenson, D. Science 208, 746 (1980).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, USA

    F. A. Franklin, G. Colombo & A. F. Cook

Authors
  1. F. A. Franklin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. Colombo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. F. Cook
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Franklin, F., Colombo, G. & Cook, A. A possible link between the rotation of Saturn and its ring structure. Nature 295, 128–130 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1038/295128a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/295128a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing