The shape of the small satellites of Saturn: Gravitational equilibrium vs solid-state strength |
| |
Authors: | P Farinella A Milani A M Nobili P Paolicchi V Zappala' |
| |
Institution: | 1. Scuola Normale Superiore e Dipartimento di Matematica dell'Università, Pisa, Italy 2. Dipartimento di Matematica dell'Università, Pisa, Italy 3. Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera, Merate (Como), Italy 4. Osservatorio Astronomico di Torino, Pino Torinese (Torino), Italy
|
| |
Abstract: | In the set of small satellites of Saturn recently imaged by the Voyager probes, we can observe the transition from irregularly-shaped, strength-dominated objects to larger, gravity-dominated bodies with shapes roughly fitting the theoretical equilibrium figures. The transition occurs for a radius of 100±50 km, corresponding to a typical material strength of the order of 107 dynes cm?2. We discuss briefly the cases of Mimas, Enceladus, Hyperion, Phoebe and the small coorbital and F-ring shepherding moons, showing that an analysis of the shape data can often provide interesting results on the physical properties, origin and collisional history of these objects. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|