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Planetary astronomy: Rings, satellites, and asteroidsStudies of planetary rings focus on the dynamical processes that govern astronomically observable ring properties and structure. These investigations thus help reveal properties of the rings as well as probe the gravity fields of the planets. Satellite studies involve interpretation of orbital motion to extract information regarding the gravity fields of the outer planets and the physical properties of the satellites themselves. Asteroid lightcurve work is designed to investigate the large-scale shapes of the asteroids, as well as to reveal anomalous features such as major topography, possible satellites, or albedo variations. Work on the nature of viscous transport in planetary rings, emphasizing the role of individual particles' physical properties, has yielded a method for estimating both angular momentum and mass transport given an optical-thickness gradient. This result offers the prospect of ringlet instability, which may explain the square-profile ringlets in Saturn's C Ring. Thermal and reflected lightcurves of 532 Herculina have been interpreted to show that albedo variations cannot be the primary cause of variations. A lightcurve simulation has been developed to model complex asteroidal figures. Bamberga was observed during the December occultation as part of the joint LPL-Lowell program.
Document ID
19890007278
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other
Authors
Greenberg, Richard (Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Date Acquired
September 5, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1988
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Washington, Reports of Planetary Astronomy,
Subject Category
Astronomy
Accession Number
89N16649
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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