Possibility of Saturnian synchrotron radiation

Several synchrotron spectra are computed for a hypothetical Saturnian radiation belt. A monoenergetic distribution of relativistic electrons is assumed to exist in a toroidal volume in a dipole magnetic field aligned with the rotation axis. When synchrotron emission is added to the thermal component implied by observations at wavelengths shorter than 50 cm, the upturn in the total emission spectrum can become gradual to quite sharp depending on the critical wavelength and the number density of radiating electrons. As an example, the ranges of magnetic field intensity, and electron energy and density are tabulated for an estimate of the nonthermal component at the longest decimetric wavelength observation. The present observations are insufficient to determine the critical wavelength; but, for several estimates of the magnetic field loading factor, the minimum surface magnetic field intensity and minimum electron number density are computed.     

Voyager disk resolved photometry of the Saturnian satellites

Photometric analysis of Voyager images of the medium-sized icy satellites of Saturn shows that their surfaces exhibit a wide range of scattering properties. At low phase angles, Rhea and Dione closely follow lunar behavior with almost no limb darkening. Mimas, Tethys, and especially Enceladus shiw significant limb darkening at low phase angles, which suggests multiple scattering is important for their surfaces. A simple photometric function of the form I/F = f(α)Aμ₀/(μ + μ₀) + (1 ? A)μ₀ has been fit to the observations. For normal reflectances <0.6, we find lunar-like scattering properties (A = 1). No satellite's surface can be described by Lambert's Law (A = 0). Dione exhibits the widest albedo variations (about 50%). A longitudinal dark stripe which represents a 15% decrease in albedo is situated near the center of the trailing side of Tethys. A correlation is found between the albedo and color of the satellites: the darker objects are redder. Similarly, darker areas of each satellite are redder. Spectral reflectances of Mimas and Enceladus can be derived for the first time. After the proper calibrations to the Voyager color images are made, it is found that both satellites have remarkably flat spectra into the ultraviolet.     

On a possible source of energy for the ejection of matter from cosmic objects

The transformation of the energy of an accelerating, expanding universe into internal energy of cosmic objects is discussed. The well known fact that Hubble expansion is observed on scale lengths two or more orders of magnitude smaller than the “cells of homogeneity” is taken into account, along with observational data indicating that this expansion also takes place on the scale of the solar system. Changes in the potential energy of individual model objects are examined on this basis and it is shown that the potential energy increases, thereby threatening the continued existence of these objects. An expression is obtained for the mass which can attain the escape energy within a given energy accumulation time. Some estimates are made for the assumed masses of galactic clusters. Over a period of 10⁷ years a protocluster can accumulate enough energy for ejection of a clump of matter with a mass equal to that of our galaxy.     

The fine structure of the Saturnian ring system

A dust disc within a planetary magnetosphere constitutes a novel type of dust-ring current. Such an azimuthal current carrying dust disc is subject to the dusty plasma analog of the well known finite-resistivity ‘tearing’ mode instability in regular plasma current sheets, at long wavelengths. It is proposed that the presently observed fine ringlet structure of the Saturnian ring system is a relic of this process operating at cosmogonic times and breaking up the initial proto-ring (which may be regarded as an admixture of fine dust and plasma) into an ensemble of thin ringlets. It is shown that this instability developes at a rate that is many orders of magnitude faster than any other known instability, when the disc thickness reaches a value that is comparable to its present observed value.     

A determination of the composition of the Saturnian stratosphere using the IUE

We reduced ultraviolet spectra of Saturn from the IUE satellite to produce a geometric albedo of the planet from 1500 to 3000 Å. By matching computer models to the albedo we determined a chemical composition consistent with the data. This model includes C₂H₂ and C₂H₆ with mixing ratios and distributions of (9 ± 3) × 10^?8 in the top 20 mbar of the atmosphere with none below for C₂H₂ and (6 ± 1) × 10^?6 also in the top 20 mbar with none below for C₂H₆. The C₂H₂ and C₂H₆ distributions and the C₂H₆ mixing ratio are taken directly from the Voyager IRIS model [R. Courtin et al., Bull. Amer. Astron. Soc.13, 722 (1981), and private communication]. The Voyager IRIS model also includes PH₃, which is not consistent with the uv albedo from 1800 to 2400 Å. Our model requires a previously unidentified absorber to explain the albedo near 1600 Å. After considering several candidates, we find that the best fit to the data is obtained with H₂O, having a column density of (6 ± 1) × 10^?3 cm-am.     

High-resolution CASSINI-VIMS mosaics of Titan and the icy Saturnian satellites

The Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard the CASSINI spacecraft obtained new spectral data of the icy satellites of Saturn after its arrival at Saturn in June 2004. VIMS operates in a spectral range from 0.35 to 5.2 μm, generating image cubes in which each pixel represents a spectrum consisting of 352 contiguous wavebands.As an imaging spectrometer VIMS combines the characteristics of both a spectrometer and an imaging instrument. This makes it possible to analyze the spectrum of each pixel separately and to map the spectral characteristics spatially, which is important to study the relationships between spectral information and geological and geomorphologic surface features.The spatial analysis of the spectral data requires the determination of the exact geographic position of each pixel on the specific surface and that all 352 spectral elements of each pixel show the same region of the target. We developed a method to reproject each pixel geometrically and to convert the spectral data into map projected image cubes. This method can also be applied to mosaic different VIMS observations. Based on these mosaics, maps of the spectral properties for each Saturnian satellite can be derived and attributed to geographic positions as well as to geological and geomorphologic surface features. These map-projected mosaics are the basis for all further investigations.     

Mapping of the icy Saturnian satellites: First results from Cassini-ISS

Images of the icy Saturnian satellites Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys, Dione, Rhea, Iapetus, and Phoebe, derived by the Voyager and Cassini cameras are used to produce new local high-resolution image mosaics as well as global mosaics [http://ciclops.org, http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov]. These global mosaics are valuable both for scientific interpretation and for the planning of future flybys later in the ongoing Cassini orbital tour. Furthermore, these global mosaics can be extended to standard cartographic products.     

An evolutionary framework for the Jovian and Saturnian satellites

The position of the satellite within the protonebula, the influence of the parent planet, particularly the relative effects of tidal (gravitational) as opposed to radiogenic (internal) heat generating processes, as well as the type of ice, exert a control on the evolutionary histories of the Jovian and Saturnian satellites. The landscapes of the moons are modified by surface deformational processes (tectonic activity derived from within the body) and externally derived cratering. The geological history of the Galilean satellites is deduced from surface stratigraphic successions of geological units. Io and Europa, with crater-free surfaces, are tectonically more advanced than crater-saturated Callisto.Two thermal-drive models are proposed based on: an expression for externally derived gravitational influences between two bodies; and internal heat generation via radiogenic decay (expressed by surface area/volume ratio). Both parameters, for the Galilean satellites, are plotted against an inferred product of tectonic processes — the age of the surface terrain. From these diagrams, the tectonic evolutionary state of the more distant Saturnian system are predicted. These moons are fitted into an evolutionary framework for the Solar System.Based on a paper presented at the 1985 Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand Conference, Hamilton, New Zealand.     

The origin of Jovian and Saturnian satellites in accretion disks

The properties of gas-dust disks that surrounded Jupiter and Saturn during the final stage of their formation are analyzed. The sizes of the disks are determined by the total planetocentric angular momentum of the matter accreted by planets and correspond to the sizes of the orbits of their largest satellites. The mass of the solid component of disks is limited from below by the total mass of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter (no less than 4 × 10²⁶ g) and the mass of the largest Saturnian satellites (1.4 × 10²⁶ g), whereas the mass of the gaseous component is limited from above by the amount of hydrogen and helium that could have been later lost by the disks. Our analysis of the known mechanisms of dissipation of gas showed that its simultaneous content in the disks relative to the solid component was much lower than the corresponding gas-to-solid ratio in the Sun. A certain amount of solid compounds (including ice) could have been brought into the disks with planetesimals, which had undergone mutual collisions in the neighborhood of giant planets and served as germs of satellites. The bulk of solid matter appears to have been captured into disks when the latter were crossed by smaller and intermediate-sized planetesimals, which then became parts of the satellites.     

On the possible resonant orbits of exoplanets

Within the framework of the restricted three-body problem, the possible orbits of a small-mass exoplanet in the system with a massive exoplanet on an elliptic orbit are investigated. Possible quasi-circular orbits are sought. The dependence of the Kozdai-Lidov effect (the Kozdai resonance) on the eccentricity of the orbit of a massive planet is discussed. The effect of the commensurabilities of the mean motions on the value of the eccentricity perturbations is considered.     

A Saturnian gas ring and the recycling of Titan's atmosphere

Atoms which escape Titan's atmosphere are unlikely to possess escape velocity from Saturn, and can orbit the planet until lost by ionization or collision with Titan. It is predicted that a toroidal ring of between ～1 and ～10³ atoms or molecules cm^?3 exists around Saturn at a distance of about 10 times the radius of the visible rings. This torus may be detectable from Earth-orbit and detection of nondetection of it may provide some information about the presence or absence of a Saturnian magnetic field, and the exospheric temperature and atmospheric escape rate of Titan. It is estimated that, if Titan has a large exosphere, ～97% or more of the escaping atoms can be recaptured by Titan, thereby decreasing the effective net atmospheric loss rate by up to two orders of magnitude. With such a reduction in atmospheric loss rates, it becomes more plausible to suggest that satellites previously thought too small to retain an atmosphere may have one. It is suggested that Saturn be examined by Lyman-α and other observations to search for the gaseous torus of Titan. If successful, these could then be extended to other satellites.The effect of a hypothetical Saturnian magnetosphere on the atmosphere of Titan is investigated. It is shown that, if Saturn has a magnetic field comparable to Jupiter's (～10 G at the planetary surface), the magnetospheric plasma can supply Titan with hydrogen at a rate comparable to the loss rates in some of the models of Trafton (1972) and Sagan (1973). A major part of the Saturnian ionospheric escape flux (～ 10²⁷ photoelectrons sec^?1) could perhaps be captured by Titan. At the upper limit, this rate of hydrogen input to the satellite could total ～0.1 atm pressure over the lifetime of the solar system, an amount comparable to estimates of the present atmospheric pressure of Titan.     

Special program of observations of Jovian and Saturnian satellites for 2009

Noteworthy phenomena, viz., mutual occultations and eclipses in the system of Jupiter’s Galilean satellites and in the system of Saturn’s principal satellites, will occur in 2009. The relatively simple photometry of these phenomena makes it possible to obtain positional data at a higher accuracy than can be achieved in regular astrometric observations. The visibility conditions for the satellites are described here and observational recommendations are given. The ephemerides of these phenomena are available via the Internet from the MULTI-SAT ephemerides server at http:/www.sai.msu.ru/neb/nss/index.htm.     

Evolutionary characteristics of the orbits of outer Saturnian,Uranian, and Neptunian satellites

We present the results of our systematic study of the long-period orbital evolution of all of the outer Saturnian, Uranian, and Neptunian satellites known to date. The plots of the orbital elements against time give a clear idea of the pattern of the orbital evolution of each satellite. The tabular data allow us to estimate the basic parameters of the evolving orbits, including the ranges of variation in the semimajor axes, eccentricities, and ecliptical inclinations as well as the variation periods and mean motions of the arguments of pericenters and the longitudes of the nodes. We compare the results obtained by numerically integrating the rigorous equations of the perturbed motion of the satellites with the analytical and numerical-analytical results. The satellite orbits with a librational pattern of variation in the arguments of pericenters are set apart.     

On the possible amplitudes of the moon's free libration

The relations between probable amplitude of the Moon's free libration and its exciting action are obtained using a theory of the stochastic process. Among the three modes of the free libration, the one in longitude is most prominent if the exciting effect is isotropic. If the excitations are caused by crater-producing meteoritic impacts, it is very probable that the free librations in longitude exist whose semi-amplitude exceeds 1.     

On a possible mechanism responsible for the differential energy spectrum of relativistic electrons and non-linear low-frequency spectra of cosmic radio sources

The paper suggests an explanation of the deviations from the power law which are observed in frequency spectra of discrete radio sources at decametric wavelengths. It has been shown that a possible mechanism of the deviations is a combined effect of the stimulated and spontaneous scattering of relativistic electrons in the turbulent plasma of a source, as well as ionization energy losses thereof. The distribution function of the relativistic electrons, empirically established in an earlier paper (Braudeet al., 1971) has been derived from the kinetic equation. For a number of discrete sources the turbulence energy density and the plasma concentration are deduced with the aid of experimental data on low-frequency radio spectra.

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Astrometric Reduction of Saturnian Satellites with Cassini-ISS Images Degraded by Trailed Stars

The Imaging Science Subsystem(ISS) mounted on the Cassini spacecraft has taken a lot of images, which provides an important source of high-precision astrometry of some planets and satellites. However, some of these images are degraded by trailed stars. Previously, these degraded images cannot be used for astrometry. In this paper, a new method is proposed to detect and compute the centers of these trailed stars automatically. The method is then performed on the astrometry of ISS images with trai...     

Occurrence of central peak craters on the Saturnian satellites: Implications for surface structure

The presence of craters with central peaks on the ice satellites of Saturn implies that their surface elastic strength is comparable to that of the Moon, Mars, and Mercury which have central peak craters, rather than that of the Jovian ice satellites Ganymede and Callisto which do not have central peak craters.