On a ring origin of the equatorial ridge of Iapetus |
On a ring origin of the equatorial ridge of Iapetus |
Guest_AlexBlackwell_* |
Aug 29 2006, 06:18 PM
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Guests |
Wing Ip just had an interesting Iapetus-related paper published in GRL.
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Sep 8 2006, 02:30 PM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 903 Joined: 30-January 05 Member No.: 162 |
I will note that Iapetus is subject to the smallest tidal effects from Saturn of any of Saturns' moons. The tidal effects are also lower that for any of the 4 Galilean satellites of Jupiter, Triton, and I suspect most or all of the major moons of Uranus.
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Sep 8 2006, 02:38 PM
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 3652 Joined: 1-October 05 From: Croatia Member No.: 523 |
However, the surface gravity at Iapetus is also vastly lower than at any of the Galileans so tidal force alone isn't the only measure here.
Tasp, nobody is questioning the mechanism by which the planets flatten out the rings. I'm questioning whether Iapetus is oblate enough so its weak gravity can flatten the rings and counter Saturn's perturbations as well. -------------------- |
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