Formation of a Propeller Structure by a Moonlet in a Dense Planetary Ring
Open accessAbstract
The Cassini spacecraft discovered a propeller-shaped structure in Saturn's A ring. This propeller structure is thought to be formed by gravitational scattering of ring particles by an unseen embedded moonlet. Self-gravity wakes are prevalent in dense rings due to gravitational instability. Strong gravitational wakes affect the propeller structure. Here, we derive the condition for the formation of a propeller structure by a moonlet embedded in a dense ring with gravitational wakes. We find that a propeller structure is formed when the wavelength of the gravitational wakes is smaller than the Hill radius of the moonlet. We confirm this formation condition by performing numerical simulations. This condition is consistent with observations of propeller structures in Saturn's A ring.
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A moon would only be able to clear a partial gap (<2π) nearby, analogous to propeller structures regularly observed in Saturn's rings caused by small moonlets.
“A moon would only be able to clear a partial gap ( < 2π) nearby, analogous to propeller structures regularly observed in Saturn's rings caused by small moonlets (Michikoshi and Kokubo 2011).”
From A Self-Gravitating Exoring Around J1407b and Implications for In-Situ Exomoon Formation (2022) · cites this paper as Michikoshi and Kokubo 2011
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References 24 · Cited by 14
- Authors
- Michikoshi, S., & Kokubo, E.
- Affiliations
- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (JP)
- Venue
- The Astrophysical Journal
- Publisher
- American Astronomical Society
- Published
- 2011-04-14
- Volume
- 732
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- L23
- ISSN
- 2041-8205 (ISSN-L)
- 2041-8213
- OpenAlex
- W2093895582
- Cited by
- 14
- References
- 24
- Citations by year
- 2024: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.19
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- The Astrophysical Journal Letters (publishedVersion)
- arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
- arXiv (Cornell University)
- Funders
- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
- Division of Mathematical Sciences
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Astro and Planetary Science
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Aerospace Engineering › Space Satellite Systems and Control
- Keywords
- propeller structure, moonlets, planetary rings, gravitational instability, Hill radius, Cassini observations
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