Hillier, Jon K.; Green, S. F.; McBride, N.; Schwanethal, J. P.; Postberg, F.; Srama, R.; Kempf, S.; Moragas-Klostermeyer, G.; McDonnell, J. A M. and Grun, E.
(2007).
| DOI (Digital Object Identifier) Link: | http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2007.11710.x |
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| Google Scholar: | Look up in Google Scholar |
Abstract
We present the first in situ direct measurement of the composition of particles in Saturn's rings. The Cassini cosmic dust analyser (CDA) measured the mass spectra of nearly 300 impacting dust particles during the 2004 October E ring crossing. An initial interpretation of the data shows that the particles are predominantly water ice, with minor contributions from possible combinations of silicates, carbon dioxide, ammonia, molecular nitrogen, hydrocarbons and perhaps carbon monoxide. This places constraints on both the composition of Enceladus, the main source of the E ring, as well as the grain formation mechanisms.
| Item Type: | Journal Article |
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| ISSN: | 1365-2966 |
| Keywords: | planets; rings; planets and satellites; individual; Enceladus |
| Academic Unit/Department: | Science > Physical Sciences Science > Environment, Earth and Ecosystems Other Departments > Other Departments |
| Interdisciplinary Research Centre: | Centre for Earth, Planetary, Space and Astronomical Research (CEPSAR) |
| Item ID: | 7887 |
| Depositing User: | Kyra Proctor |
| Date Deposited: | 06 Jun 2007 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Dec 2010 19:59 |
| URI: | http://oro.open.ac.uk/id/eprint/7887 |
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