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
|
|
Starship explodes during preparations for static-fire test
Posted: Sun, Jun 22 6:52 AM ET (1052 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, July 1
Move over Starlink, here comes Kuiper
Gulf News — 4:58 am ET (0858 GMT) USSF Seeks Industry Ideas For Space-Based Interceptors
Aviation Week — 4:57 am ET (0857 GMT) Don’t forget about Iran’s space program
POLITICO — 4:54 am ET (0854 GMT) EU Space Act is ‘orbital equivalent of GDPR’, says lawyer
Luxembourg Times — 4:53 am ET (0853 GMT) Poland’s second ever astronaut is safe in space
Euro Weekly News — 4:49 am ET (0849 GMT) |
