Planetary Ring Systems
Properties, Structure, and Evolution

This book is a thorough and engaging presentation of the key concepts in planetary ring science informed by the latest research findings.

Matthew S. Tiscareno (Edited by), Carl D. Murray (Edited by)

9781107113824, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 22 March 2018

592 pages
28.3 x 22.5 x 3.1 cm, 1.88 kg

'… the book under review is a worthy and fitting update. It is a collection of 21 reviewed articles, written by the experts in the field. All are superbly illustrated and referenced. … This book is a tour de force which emphasizes the fact that not only are planetary rings one of the most beautiful phenomena in our subject they are also one of the most physically and dynamically challenging. … As with many planetary objects, we now know a lot but there is still a huge amount to find out. This book is a great encouragement to those starting out on the investigation.' David W. Hughes, The Observatory: A Review of Astronomy

Planetary rings are among the most intriguing structures of our solar system and have fascinated generations of astronomers. Collating emerging knowledge in the field, this volume reviews our current understanding of ring systems with reference to the rings of Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and more. Written by leading experts, the history of ring research and the basics of ring–particle orbits is followed by a review of the known planetary ring systems. All aspects of ring system science are described in detail, including specific dynamical processes, types of structures, thermal properties and their origins, and investigations using computer simulations and laboratory experiments. The concluding chapters discuss the prospects of future missions to planetary rings, the ways in which ring science informs and is informed by the study of other astrophysical disks, and a perspective on the field's future. Researchers of all levels will benefit from this thorough and engaging presentation.

1. Space age studies of planetary rings L. W. Esposito and M. de Stefano
2. An introduction to planetary ring dynamics M. M Hedman
3. The rings of Saturn J. N. Cuzzi, G. Filacchione and E. A. Marouf
4. The rings of Uranus P. D. Nicholson, I. De Pater, R. G. French and M. R. Showalter
5. The rings of Neptune I. De Pater, S. Renner, M. R. Showalter and B. Sicardy
6. The rings of Jupiter I. De Pater, D. P. Hamilton, M. R. Showalter, H. B. Throop and J. A. Burns
7. Rings beyond the giant planets B. Sicardy, M. El Moutamid, A. C. Quillen, P. M. Schenk, M. R. Showalter and K. Walsh
8. Moonlets in dense planetary rings F. Spahn, H. Hoffmann, H. Rein, M. Seiss, M. Sremcevic and M. S. Tiscareno
9. Meteoroid bombardment and ballistic transport in planetary rings P. R. Estrada, R. H. Durisen and H. N. Latter
10. Theory of narrow rings and sharp edges P.-Y. Longaretti
11. Narrow rings, gaps, and sharp edges P. D. Nicholson, R. G. French and J. N. Spitale
12. Dusty rings M. M. Hedman, F. Postberg, D. P. Hamilton, S. Renner and H.-W. Hsu
13. The F ring of Saturn C. D. Murray and R. S. French
14. Plasma, neutral atmosphere, and energetic radiation environments of planetary rings J. F. Cooper, R. E. Johnson, P. Kollmann, E. Roussos and E. C. Sittler
15. Thermal properties of rings and ring particles L. J. Spilker, C. Ferrari, N. Altobelli, S. Pilorz and R. Morishima
16. Computer simulations of planetary rings H. Salo, K. Ohtsuki and M. C. Lewis
17. Laboratory studies of planetary ring systems J. E. Colwell, J. Blum, R. N. Clark, S. Kempf and R. M. Nelson
18. The origin of planetary ring systems S. Charnoz, R. M. Canup, A. Crida and L. Dones
19. Future missions to planetary rings T. R. Spilker
20. Planetary rings and other astrophysical disks H. N. Latter, G. I. Ogilvie and H. Rein
21. The future of planetary rings studies M. S. Tiscareno and C. D. Murray.

Subject Areas: Astronomy, space & time [PG]