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bojan
08-10-2009, 06:39 AM
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/07oct_giantring.htm?list773456
mithrandir
08-10-2009, 06:45 AM
Fred Watson was talking about it on Adam Spenser's show.
Robh
08-10-2009, 03:43 PM
Presumably, something collided with Phoebe which caused its rather angled orbit and it is Phoebe's gravitational drag which has resulted in the ring. Iapetus (size ~1500 km) and Phoebe (size ~220 km) are the largest of the outer moons but Phoebe is nearly 4 times further out.

Regards, Rob.
glenc
08-10-2009, 03:48 PM
S&T has a diagram of it: http://media.skyandtelescope.com/images/Phoebe+ring+art.jpg
and a write up: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/63685982.html
also from NASA: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2009-150
Robh
08-10-2009, 04:02 PM
Thanks Glen,
So, it looks like the wanderer Phoebe was captured by Saturn, due to its retrograde angled orbit. The dust is due to one or perhaps multiple smaller impacts with the moon.

Regards, Rob.
Outbackmanyep
08-10-2009, 07:25 PM
Dont rule out outgassing from old cryo-geysers!

I guess ANYTHING is possible! :thumbsup: