PIA01390: Outer edge of Saturn's B-ring

Target Name: S Rings Is a satellite of: Saturn Mission: Voyager Spacecraft: Voyager 2 Instrument: Imaging Science Subsystem - Narrow Angle Product Size: 700 samples x 466 lines Produced By: JPL Producer ID: P24064 Addition Date: 1999-01-05 Primary Data Set: Voyager EDRs Full-Res TIFF: PIA01390.tif (125.5 kB) Full-Res JPEG: PIA01390.jpg (34.01 kB)

Original Caption Released with Image: This composite image shows two views of the outer edge of Saturn's B-ring (left) and the inner part of the Cassini Division (right) in the rings. The images were taken on opposite sides of the planet Aug. 25 from a range of 610,000 kilometers (380,000 miles). The dramatic result of this comparison is that the thin eccentric ringlet in the inner gap of the Cassini Division is shown not to match from side to side; moreover, the edge of the B-ring differs by about 50 km. (30 mi.) as well. Scientists believe the distorted shape of the B-ring edge is due to the gravitational influence of the Saturnian satellite Mimas. It is noted, too, that much of the fine B-ring structure also mismatches from side to side, possibly indicating that they are wave phenomena. The Voyager project is managed for NASA by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. Image Credit: NASA/JPL