HR: 12:05h
AN: P51F-08    [PDF]
TI: ESTIMATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COSMIC RECYCLING IN THE HISTORY OF PLANETARY RINGS AND RING MOONS
AU: * Esposito, L W
EM: larry.esposito@lasp.colorado.edu
AF: LASP/University of Colorado, 392 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0392 United States
AU: Colwell, J E
AF: LASP/University of Colorado, 392 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0392 United States
AB: Strong evidence implies that small moons near the giant planets, like the asteroids they resemble, are best described as piles of rubble. These re-constituted small bodies are the source of material for planetary rings. Previous calculations by Colwell and Esposito show the short lifetimes for such moons imply that we are nearly at the end of the age of rings. Does this philosophically unappealing result truly describe our solar system and the rings that may surround giant extra-solar planets? Calculations from a Markov chain model explicate how inclusion of recycling can lengthen the lifetime of rings and moons. Non-linear effects not previously considered are also important. We apply our results to Saturn's F ring and to Neptune's ring arcs.
DE: 5749 Origin and evolution
DE: 5759 Rings and dust
DE: 6275 Saturn
SC: Planetary Sciences [P]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting