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Accession Number:
ADA171520
Title:
An Upper Limit on Shepherding Satellites at Saturn's Ring G.
Descriptive Note:
Progress rept.,
Corporate Author:
IOWA UNIV IOWA CITY DEPT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
Report Date:
1986-07-01
Pagination or Media Count:
34.0
Abstract:
A simplified analytical theory of the absorption of energetic magnetospheric particles by an inert satellite is develop for the case in which the radius b of the satellite is much less than the equatorial gyroradius r sub g of the particle which, in turn, is very much less than the radius r of the satelites orbit. This theory and the observed particle-absorption signatures of Saturns Ring G are used to establish an upper limit on shepherding satellites associated with the ring. The resulting upper limit, ignoring the absorption of the optically observed particulate matter, is b 3.3 km accurate to a factor of two for a single satellite or sum from i 1 to n of b squared sub i 11.2 sq km accurate to a factor of four for an assemblage of n satellites of various radii b sub i. No shepherding satellites at Ring G have been detected optically.
Distribution Statement:
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
