Planetary ring systems

Cuzzi, Jeffrey N.

doi:10.1029/rg021i002p00173

Cited by 12 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 253 publications

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“…Of Saturn's three classical rings, the B ring is the optically thickest (opaque) and casts a shadow on Saturn's equator. It extends from a minimum radius, r min of 1.53 Saturn radii to a maximum radius, r max of 1.93 Saturn radii [ Cuzzi , 1983]. Scaling these dimensions to Earth's radius (6378 km) gives an r min of 9758 km and an r max of 12,310 km.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climatic effects of an impact‐induced equatorial debris ring

Fawcett

Boslough

2002

J.‐Geophys.‐Res.

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[1] Several theoretical and laboratory studies suggest that some large impact events are capable of inserting material into space depending on mechanics of the impact. This material would quickly coalesce to form a temporary debris ring in orbit around the equator, which would cast its shadow on the winter hemisphere. The results of an atmospheric general circulation model (GCM) simulation where an orbiting equatorial debris ring is applied as a boundary condition to the model show how the longer-term effects of a major impact could affect the climate system. The primary effect is a severe cooling in the tropics and the subtropics, especially under the seasonally migrating ring shadow. The globe cools and becomes drier, with the exception of monsoonal regions that become wetter. The Hadley cell is weakened resulting in drier tropics and weaker subtropical high-pressure cells in the winter hemisphere. Because the tropics cool more than middle latitude regions, the equator-to-pole temperature gradient becomes shallower resulting in weaker tropospheric winds and less high-latitude storminess. We suggest that the late Eocene impact(s) (35.5 Ma) could have generated a geologically temporary orbiting debris ring based on the global distribution of tektites associated with these events and patterns of climate change immediately above the iridium/microtektite layer. The Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary event, while larger, did not produce a debris ring. We also suggest that an opaque debris ring could have acted as the trigger to at least one episode of global glaciation during the Neoproterozoic.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climatic effects of an impact‐induced equatorial debris ring

Fawcett

Boslough

2002

J.‐Geophys.‐Res.

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“…Optical depth profiles . The major structural elements of Saturn's rings, as revealed in Voyager images and occultation data returned in 1980/1981, were discussed in some detail in the previous IUGG Report [ Cuzzi 1983 ]. Marouf et al .…”

Section: Saturn's Ringsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Planetary Rings

Nicholson

Dones

1991

Reviews of Geophysics

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“…One of the paradigm shifts of this period was the realization that many aspects of planetary rings, and even the ring systems themselves, could be 'recent' on geological timescales. These early results are reviewed and summarized in the Arizona Space Science series volumes 'Saturn' (Gehrels and Matthews 1984) and 'Planetary Rings' (Greenberg and Brahic 1984), in Brahic (1984), and by Cuzzi (1983). An excellent review of ring dynamics at a formative stage is by Goldreich and Tremaine (1982).…”

Section: Introduction and Overviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Saturn’s Rings: Pre-Cassini Status and Mission Goals

Cuzzi¹,

Colwell²,

Esposito³

et al. 2003

The Cassini-Huygens Mission

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Abstract. Theoretical and observational progress in studies of Saturn's ring system since the mid1980s is reviewed, focussing on advances in configuration and dynamics, composition and size distribution, dust and meteoroids, interactions of the rings with the planet and the magnetosphere, and relationships between the rings and various satellites. The Cassini instrument suite of greatest relevance to ring studies is also summarized, emphasizing how the individual instruments might work together to solve outstanding problems. The Cassini tour is described from the standpoint of ring studies, and major ring science goals are summarized.

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Planetary ring systems

Cited by 12 publications

References 253 publications

Climatic effects of an impact‐induced equatorial debris ring

Climatic effects of an impact‐induced equatorial debris ring

Planetary Rings

Saturn’s Rings: Pre-Cassini Status and Mission Goals

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