Astronomy 2232F/G Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Pioneer 11, Cronus, Orbital Period
6 Mar 2017
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Document Summary
6th planet from the sun: most spectacular ring system, rings are > 250,000 in diameter, but only ~1km thick- most observable. Discovery known by the ancients: furthest planet visible with unaided eye. Roman mythology god of agriculture and harvest: ate his kids; eventually was overthrown by son jupiter, greek counterpart: cronus. Pioneer 11 (1973-1995: first mission to explore saturn, discovered f ring. Voyager 1 and 2 (1977: goals: flyby/explore planet, rings, moons. Cassini (1997- present: goals: explore planet, atmosphere, rings, magnetosphere, moons. Huygens (2005: probe onboard cassini, landed on titians atmosphere. Atmosphere: composition similar to jupiter"s, hydrogen (94%, helium (6%, bands of belts and zones, lack of contrast due to overlying haze. Huge storms: great white spots, wind speeds ~500m/s, heat from interior transferred to atmosphere. North polar vortex and hexagon: wavy jet stream, wind speeds ~322km/hr, ~30,000 km across, massive, rotating storm at center. 2 tiny moons orbit in rings: produce gaps.
