Prediction of the fine-scale irregular structure in Saturn’s A, B, and C rings

Abstract

In view of the possibility of employing C assini’s experiments for the diagnosis of Saturn’s rings, local N-body simulations of low and moderately high optical depth regions of Saturn’s rings are presented. A special emphasis is made on fine-scale spiral structures (irregular cylindric wave-type structures of the order of 100 m or so) of Saturn’s main A, B, and C rings. We predict that C assini spacecraft high-resolution images of Saturn’s main rings will reveal this kind of irregular microstructure.