Prometheus and the F Ring
Explanation:
In Greek myth Prometheus was a Titan,
known for bringing fire from Mount Olympus.
But in modern times the name is given to is a
small
moon of Saturn, orbiting just inside Saturn's F ring.
In a complex interaction, the tiny
potato-shaped moon interacts
with the icy ring particles creating structures
along
the F ring still not fully understood.
One of the highest resolution views of
Prometheus,
this image of its
pocked surface posing with the thin F ring in the background
was taken during the Cassini spacecraft's close approach on December 6, 2015.
Prometheus is about 86 kilometers (50 miles) across.
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Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
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