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Are there moonlets near the Uranian alpha and beta rings?

Authors :
Chancia, R. O.
Hedman, M. M.
Source :
The Astronomical Journal, 152:211 (14pp), 2016 December
Publication Year :
2016

Abstract

The Voyager 2 Radio Science Subsystem occultations of the Uranian alpha and beta rings exhibit quasi-periodic optical depth variations with radial wavelengths that vary with longitude. These patterns may be wakes from small moonlets orbiting exterior to these rings. Based on the observed structures in the rings, we estimate that the moonlets would need to be located about 100 km exterior to the rings' semimajor axes and be 2-7 km in radius. Such moonlets could help keep the rings confined. Due to their small radii and presumed low albedo, the expected brightness of these moonlets is on the order of the noise in Voyager 2 images.<br />Comment: Accepted for publication in AJ. Fixed typos to match published article

Details

Database :
arXiv
Journal :
The Astronomical Journal, 152:211 (14pp), 2016 December
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
edsarx.1610.02376
Document Type :
Working Paper
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3847/0004-6256/152/6/211