Saturn ring seismology: Looking beyond first order resonances

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Some wave features found in the C-ring of Saturn appear to be excited by resonances with normal mode oscillations of the planet. The waves are found at locations in the rings where the ratio of orbital to oscillation frequencies is given by m : m + 1 where m is a small integer. I suggest here that it is plausible that ring waves may also be launched at second order resonances where the frequency ratio would be m : m + 2. Indeed otherwise unassociated wave features are found at such locations in the C-ring. If confirmed the association of planetary modes with additional C-ring wave features would measure additional oscillation frequencies of Saturn and improve the utility of the waves for constraining the internal structure of the planet. Second-order resonances in general do not lie near first order ring resonance locations and thus are not the explanation for the apparent frequency splitting of modes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)194-199
Number of pages6
JournalIcarus
Volume234
DOIs
StatePublished - May 15 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Resonances, rings
  • Saturn
  • Saturn, Rings
  • Saturn, interior

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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