Observations of Saturn's outer ring and new satellites during the 1980 edge-on presentation

Abstract

Observations of Saturn's satellites and external rings during the 1980 edge-on presentation were obtained with a focal coronograph. A faint satellite traveling in the orbit of Dione and leading it by 72° has been detected, together with the two inner satellites already suspected (cf. J. W. Fountain and S. M. Larson, 1978, Icarus 36, 92–106). The external ring has been observed on both east and west sides; it may extend up to ⋍8.3 Saturn radii, and appears structured.