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Chapter 12: Problem 34

Why is the term "shepherd satellite" appropriate for the objects so named? Explain how a shepherd satellite operates.

Short Answer

Expert verified
A 'shepherd satellite' is a moon that orbits near the edge of a planetary ring system, maintaining the structure of the ring through its gravitational influence. It is aptly termed 'shepherd' because, like a shepherd herding a flock, the satellite confines the ring particles within certain boundaries. It operates by using gravity to push wandering ring particles back into the ring.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of Shepherd Satellite

The term 'shepherd satellite' is used in astronomy to refer to a body that orbits near the edge of a planetary ring system. Its gravity helps to maintain the structure of the ring system by confining the particles within the ring.
02

Name Appropriateness

The term 'shepherd' is used to describe these satellites because of the satellite's role, which is analogous to the role of a shepherd in a flock. Just as a shepherd guides the flock to stay within a certain boundary, the shepherd satellite uses its gravitational influence to confine the particles of the ring within certain boundaries, hence maintaining the structure of the ring system.
03

Operation of a Shepherd Satellite

The shepherd satellite orbits a planet at the outer edge of a ring system. Its gravitational influence pushes ring particles back into the ring if they move too far out. It essentially 'herds' the particles, just like a shepherd would herd a flock. This consistent herding keeps the ring formation stable.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Astronomers can detect the presence of hydrogen in stars by looking for the characteristic absorption lines of hydrogen in the star's visible spectrum (Figure \(5-21\) ). They can also detect hydrogen in glowing gas clouds by looking for hydrogen's characteristic emission lines (Figure 5-18). Explain why neither of these techniques helped Earth-based astronomers to detect hydrogen in Jupiter's atmosphere.

During the planning stages for the Pioneer 11 mission, when relatively little was known about Saturn's rings, it was proposed to have the spacecraft fly through the Cassini division. Why would this have been a bad idea?

Compare and contrast the source of energy for motions in the Earth's atmosphere with the energy source for motions in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn.

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Why is Jupiter oblate? What do astronomers learn from the value of Jupiter's oblateness?
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