The E-ring: interactions with plasma and implications for its evolution

Abstract

A number of lines of evidence suggest that the particles making up the E-ring are small, on the order of a few microns or less in size (Terrile and Tokunaga, 1980, BAAS; Pang et al., 1982 Saturn meeting; Tucson, AZ). This suggests that a variety of electromagnetic and plasma affects may be important in considering the history of such particles. We have shown (Morfill et al., 1982, J. Geophys. Res., in press) that plasma drags forces from the corotating plasma will rapidly evolve E-ring particle orbits to increasing distance from Saturn until a point is reached where radiation drag forces acting to decrease orbital radius balance this outward acceleration. This occurs at approximately Rhea's orbit, although the exact value is subject to many uncertainties. The time scale for plasma drag to move particles from Enceladus' orbit to the outer E-ring is ~104yr. A variety of effects also act to remove particles, primarily sputtering by both high energy charged particles (Cheng et al., 1982, J. Geophys. Res., in press) and corotating plasma (Morfill et al., 1982). The time scale for sputtering away one micron particles is also short, 102 - 10 yrs. Thus the detailed particle density profile in the E-ring is set by a competition between orbit evolution and particle removal. The high density region near Enceladus' orbit may result from the sputtering yeild of corotating ions being less than unity at this radius (e.g. Eviatar et al., 1982, Saturn meeting). In any case, an active source of E-ring material is required if the feature is not very ephemeral - Enceladus itself, with its geologically recent surface, appears still to be the best candidate for the ultimate source of E-ring material.