The eccentric ringlet at 1.29 R sub S

Abstract

Voyager 1 images, UV stellar occultation, and radio data on the eccentric ringlet in Saturn's C ring near the Titan 1:0 apsidal resonance are discussed. Kinematic analysis shows a ringlet precession rate equal to the mean motion of Titan and a width-radius relation expected for a ring maintaining itself against differential precession by self-gravity. The specific opacity estimated for this ringlet, 0.056 sqcm/gm, is comparable to that found for the eccentric ringlet at 1.45 Rs. Assuming that the eccentricity is completely forced by Titan, a more precise value can be determined for the location of the resonance than can be computed using the current values of Saturn's gravity coefficients.