PLANETARY RINGS

A summary of the present understanding of planetary rings, including results from the Cassini space mission to Saturn. Highlighted topics include Saturn's F ring, Neptune's rings, Jupiter's rings, stochastic models, ring age and evolution. The book is suitable for students and professionals in planetary science, astronomy and space research and includes the latest results, explanations and speculations. The text is supported by a glossary of terms and an extensive bibliography directs the reader to original references and resources.

A 2006 summary of planetary rings, including results from the Cassini space mission to Saturn. It covers all aspects of the subject with particular emphasis on ring history and evolution. Basic physical processes and simple mathematical approaches are presented in a clear and accessible way, supported by many images and diagrams that display the spectacular phenomena seen in these fascinating structures. Highlighted topics include Saturn's F ring, Neptune's rings, Jupiter's rings, stochastic models, ring age and evolution, and Cassini results. The book is suitable for students and professionals in planetary science, astronomy and space research and includes the latest results, explanations and speculations. The text is supported by a glossary of terms and an extensive bibliography directs the reader to original references and resources.

Preface; 1. Introduction: the allure of ringed planets; 2. Studies of planetary rings 1610-2004; 3. Diversity of planetary rings; 4. Individual ring particles and their collisions; 5. Large-scale ring evolution; 6. Moons confine and sculpt rings; 7. Explaining ring phenomena; 8. N-Body simulations; 9. Stochastic models; 10. Age and evolution of rings; 11. Saturn's mysterious F ring; 12. Neptune's partial rings; 13. Jupiter's ring-moon system after Galileo; 14. Ring photometry; 15. Dusty rings; 16. Cassini observations; 17. Summary: the big questions; Glossary; References; Index.

This 2006 text features results from the Cassini space mission to Saturn, and highlighted topics include Saturn's F ring, Neptune's rings, Jupiter's rings, stochastic models, ring age and evolution. For students and professionals this text is supported by a glossary of terms and an extensive bibliography.