Rings of Uranus: A Review of Occultation Results

Elliot, J. L.

doi:10.1017/s0252921100082464

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…The only parameters not determined well from the three sets of data were the gravity coefficient J2 and the pole location. Because the closest approach to Uranus was at about 4 R u, only a rough determination could be obtained from Voyager ; thus in our analysis we used the previously published gravity field and pole from the precession of eccentric rings [Elliot, 1982;Nicholson et al, 1982]. A provision was included to consider the effect of the error in J2 and the pole location on the covariance matrix without estimating those three parameters ("consider option").…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Radio science with Voyager 2 at Uranus: Results on masses and densities of the planet and five principal satellites

Anderson¹,

Campbell²,

Jacobson³

et al. 1987

J. Geophys. Res.

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We have analyzed radio Doppler data and star-satellite imaging data from Voyager 2 at Uranus, along with 8 years of ground-based astrometric data, and have obtained improved masses and densities for the satellites of Uranus as well as a new ratio of the mass of the Sun to the mass of the Uranian system of 22902.94 +_ 0.04. The mean density of Uranus is 1.285 + 0.001 g½m -3. The satellite densities are 1.25 +_ 0.33 for Miranda, 1.55 _+ 0.22 for Ariel, 1.58 +_ 0.23 for Umbriel, 1.685 _+ 0.068 for Titania, and 1.635 + 0.060 for Oberon, all expressed in units of grams per cubic centimeter. The mean uncompressed density of all five satellites is 1.48 +_ 0.06 g½m -3. This is 0.10 g½m -3 higher than the value expected for a homogeneous solar mix consisting of 34% anhydrous rock, 51% water ice, 7% ammonia ice, and 8% methane, present as clathrate hydrate. In order to reconcile this difference, we suggest that the Uranian moons contain roughly 15% by mass of pure graphite, in addition to a normal solar component of rocks and ices. If so, at least 50% of the carbon within the nebular gases from which Uranus and its satellites condensed was in the form of graphite, the remaining being in CH,•. The high thermal conductivity of graphite ensures that the Uranian moons have remained cold and undifferentiated since the time of their formation, despite heating caused by the decay of radioactive nuclides. Apparently, an alternative cometary origin for the satellites is ruled out. 14,877

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A provision was included to consider the effect of the error in J2 and the pole location on the covariance matrix without estimating those three parameters ("consider option"). We used standard errors as given by Elliot [-1982] for the gravity field and pole location.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radio science with Voyager 2 at Uranus: Results on masses and densities of the planet and five principal satellites

Anderson¹,

Campbell²,

Jacobson³

et al. 1987

J. Geophys. Res.

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The discovery of the Uranus ring system

Springer Praxis Books

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Planetary ring systems

Cuzzi¹

1983

Reviews of Geophysics

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Planetary ring studies have evolved from observations of a single example, (Saturn), to related studies of a class of objects, in the last several years; in fact, this is the first IUGG review article on the subject. Therefore, it seems appropriate to cite at least review articles going back beyond 1979, if only as a guide to earlier literature (Alexander 1962, Bobrov 1970, Cook et al. 1973, Palluconi and Petengill (eds) 1973, Pollack 1975, Cook and Franklin 1977, and Cuzzi 1978; all of which deal only with Saturn's rings). More recent reviews have been written by Ip (1980 a,b); Cook (1980), Elliot (1982), and Goldreich and Tremaine (1982); also of interest are review articles in books to be published shortly; Saturn (Gehreis, ed.) and Planetary Rings (Brahic and Greenberg, eds.). Popular articles of interest have been written by Pollack (1978), Burns (1981) and Pollack and Cuzzi (1982).

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Rings of Uranus: A Review of Occultation Results

Abstract: (ii) the Voyager encounter in 1986, and (iii) the Space Telescope.

Cited by 5 publications

References 41 publications

Radio science with Voyager 2 at Uranus: Results on masses and densities of the planet and five principal satellites

Radio science with Voyager 2 at Uranus: Results on masses and densities of the planet and five principal satellites

The discovery of the Uranus ring system

Planetary ring systems

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