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A. S. Bosh, E. M. Douglass (Boston Univ.), R. R. Howell, C. Christenson, C. L. Jackolski (Univ. Wyoming)
Saturn's F ring sits between the satellites Prometheus and Pandora, in a dynamically active region (e.g. French et al. 2003, Icarus 162, 143). Knowledge of its kinematics can be helpful in understanding the dynamics at work in the region. We have obtained additional occultation data that can be used in modeling the F ring as well as other non-circular rings. These data were obtained as infrared spectra at the IRTF with SpeX (see paper by Douglass & Bosh, this conference) or as infrared imaging at WIRO with IoCAM. The current model of the F ring's kinematics (Bosh et al. 2002, Icarus 157, 57) is limited by the number of available data points. Of particular importance is the occultation of TYC1310-02402 in December 2002, which sampled the F ring near pericenter and thereby adds a strong shape constraint. This work was supported by NASA Planetary Astronomy grant NNG04GI10G.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 36 #4
© 2004. The American Astronomical Soceity.