AST101H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Rings Of Saturn, Pan (Moon), Tidal Heating
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AST101H1 Full Course Notes
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Core is 10x mass of earth"s but about the same size due to pressure exerted of outer layers. Saturn is 3. 3 times less massive than jupiter so the lower levels are compressed less. Force of gravity changes with distance tidal squeezing. Effect is larger when objects are closer. Compression and decompression heats up the moon orbiting a planet. Energy is unstable (it slows the orbit), thus making a circular orbit. Ratio of speed at which moons orbit a planet (e. g. 1:2:4) Every time the moons are lined up, one closest to planet will get a little kick. Created by mimas (moon orbiting saturn) via 2:1 resonance. Pan (moon) creates the encke gap in saturn"s rings. Dust particle attracted to pan when they line up, dust closer to planet will deflect inward, dust further from planet will be sent out (due to decreased or increased speed) Work together to produce very narrow rings.
