The Formation of Small Satellites near the Saturnian A-Ring

  • Kim, Yoo-Jea (Department of Astronomy, Seoul National University) ;
  • Hyun, Jong-June (Department of Astronomy, Seoul National University)
  • Published : 1984.12.31

Abstract

The origin of five small satellites (1980 S1, 1980 S3, 1980 S26, 1980 S27 and 1980 S28) and F-ring of Saturn which were recently discovered inside the orbit of Mimas, is proposed in terms of the resonant effects by external satellites in the Saturnian primordial extended ring. From the calculations of resonance locations and strengths, the following conclusion could be derived. Assuming that present two objects 1980 S1 and 1980 S3 were originally a single object 1980 S1+S3, 1980 S1+S3 had been formed due to Enceladus' 2/1 resonance and 1980 S26 due to Mimas' 3/2 resonance at first and then 1980 S28. 1980 S27 and F-ring were formed in the next due to 1980 S1+S3's 8/7, 9/8 and 10/9 resonances, respectively.

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