We propose to extend observations of Saturns newly discovered Phoebe ring (Verbiscer et al. 2009) to new wavelengths and greater radial range to better characterize the dust properties and constrain the dynamics and particle size distribution of the ring. We will seek similar rings around both Uranus and Neptune. This work is important to understanding the transfer of material from the irregular satellites to the inner regular satellites, the outermost of which can have their surfaces completely transformed by this process. Furthermore, this dust represents an important analogue to the dust observed in debris disks around other stars. The discovery of the Phoebe ring, as well as work by Turrini et al. (2009), Bottke et al. (2010), and Buratti et al. (1991), among others, suggests that the other giant planets should also possess rings supplied by their irregular satellites. We therefore propose searches for such rings at both Uranus and Neptune. Our proposal is aimed to return important science results for a modest time investment (12.8 hours)
Publication
Nereid from space: rotation size and shape analysis from K2 Herschel and Spitzer observations | Kiss C. et al. | Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Volume 457 Issue 3 p.2908-2917 | 457 | 10.1093/mnras/stw081 | 2016MNRAS.457.2908K | http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2016MNRAS.457.2908K
Far-infrared photometric observations of the outer planets and satellites with Herschel-PACS | Muller T. G. et al. | Astronomy & Astrophysics Volume 588 id.A109 21 pp. | 588 | 10.1051/0004-6361/201527371 | 2016A&A...588A.109M | http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2016A%26A...588A.109M
Instrument
PACS_PacsPhoto_largeScan
Temporal Coverage
2011-06-12T03:43:42Z/2012-01-13T13:20:03Z
Version
SPG v14.2.0
Mission Description
Herschel was launched on 14 May 2009! It is the fourth cornerstone mission in the ESA science programme. With a 3.5 m Cassegrain telescope it is the largest space telescope ever launched. It is performing photometry and spectroscopy in approximately the 55-671 µm range, bridging the gap between earlier infrared space missions and groundbased facilities.
European Space Agency, tamayo et al., 2012, 'Detecting the Largest Rings in the Solar System--Dust Rings from the Irregular Satellites', SPG v14.2.0, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-b8wzcs6
