Cassini reveals compositional differences in Saturn's rings
Posted: Thu, Jul 8, 2004, 7:56 AM ET (1156 GMT)
Spectroscopic data from NASA's Cassini spacecraft has shown that the composition of Saturn's extensive ring system is not uniform but varies from region to region. Scientists at the University of Colorado reported Wednesday that while water ice is the dominant constituent in the rings, the amount of water varies, increasing in the outer rings. Cassini has also detected possible silicate and organic materials in the ring that one scientist described as "mud". The results support models that use the breakup of a large icy object to explain the formation of the planet's rings.
Spectroscopic data from NASA's Cassini spacecraft has shown that the composition of Saturn's extensive ring system is not uniform but varies from region to region. Scientists at the University of Colorado reported Wednesday that while water ice is the dominant constituent in the rings, the amount of water varies, increasing in the outer rings. Cassini has also detected possible silicate and organic materials in the ring that one scientist described as "mud". The results support models that use the breakup of a large icy object to explain the formation of the planet's rings.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Roscosmos replaces cosmonaut on next Crew Dragon mission to ISS
Posted: Sat, Dec 6 9:45 AM ET (1445 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, December 8
Reach for the stars: Astronaut urges Poland to build plan for space tech hub
TVP World — 5:00 am ET (1000 GMT) Government invests €265.1m for space programmes
Delano — 5:00 am ET (1000 GMT) ROSE-L given the shakes
ESA — 4:59 am ET (0959 GMT) Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ czar says he held talks with 300 companies on secret missile defense shield
Washington Times — 4:57 am ET (0957 GMT) Golden Dome Details Begin to Emerge
Air and Space Forces Magazine — 4:57 am ET (0957 GMT) |
