A dynamical constraint on particulate sizes for Saturn's B ring spokes

Abstract

The exponential charge decay time for particulates constituting the spokes in Saturn's B ring is presently proposed as a dynamical time scale for their evolution. Mean particulate radius is determined to be 0.01 + or - 0.03 microns, on the basis of a consideration of solar UV photoemission as the charge decay mechanism which leads to the determination of a dynamical constraint that can be placed on the particulate sizes.