Prometheus and the Rings of Saturn
Explanation:
In Greek Mythology,
Prometheus was known for stealing fire from
the gods.
Ironically, in a story for more modern times Prometheus
may also become known for stealing, but this time for stealing
icy particles from Saturn's rings.
This eerie close-up
from the Cassini spacecraft shows the
100 kilometer-long
Saturnian moon Prometheus
orbiting
near the inner edge of
Saturn's F ring.
The dramatic view clearly resolves the potato-shaped moon and
multiple strands of the
narrow
F ring.
It also reveals a faint strand of material connecting
Prometheus with the rings.
One possibility is that the tiny moon's gravity is indeed
drawing off particles from the rings and is
influencing the
formation of the gaps and kinks seen in the ring structure.
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Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
