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The Contamination of Iapetus by Phoebe Dust

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2018

J. A. Burns ,
D. P. Hamilton ,
Francois Mignard  and
Steven Soter
J. A. Burns
Affiliation:
Cornell University
D. P. Hamilton
Affiliation:
MPI-K;University of Maryland
Francois Mignard
Affiliation:
CERGA
Steven Soter
Affiliation:
NASM

Abstract

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We examine whether the dark, orbitally-leading hemisphere of Saturn's satellite Iapetus might be coated by debris from low-albedo Phoebe, which orbits retrograde well exterior to Iapetus. Using simplified analytical models along with more complete numerical integrations, we follow the paths of various-sized particles launched gently off Phoebe following collisions with interplanetary and interstellar meteoroids. Micron grains can quickly reach Iapetus since (due to solar radiation) they trace elliptical orbits; larger grains may only hit after their more-circular orbits collapse due to Poynting-Robertson drag; few very large and very small Phoebe grains strike Iapetus. Despite some inconsistencies with observations, we conclude that Phoebe may possibly be the agent that has darkened Iapetus.

Type
V. Dusty Planetary Rings
Information
International Astronomical Union Colloquium , Volume 150: Physics, Chemistry and Dynamics of Interplanetary Dust , 1996 , pp. 179 - 182
Copyright
Copyright © Astronomical Society of the Pacific 1996

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