E Ring

The E-ring is one of the rings of Saturn. It is the outermost ring and is extremely wide. It begins at the orbit of Mimas and ends somewhere around the orbit of Rhea. The disk consists mostly of ice but, it also contains silicates, carbon dioxide and ammonia. Unlike the other rings, it is composed of microscopic rather than macroscopic particles. In 2005 it was discovered that the source of the ring’s material was cryovolcanic plumes emanating from the tiger-like stripes on the southern polar region of the moon Enceladus.

You can also check out these cool telescopes that will help you see the beauty of planet Saturn and its rings.

The rings of Saturn are the most extensive planetary ring system in the solar system. They consist of countless small particles, ranging in size from micrometers to meters. The particles form clumps that orbit about Saturn. The ring particles are made almost entirely of water ice, with some contamination from dust and other chemicals. Although reflection from the rings increases Saturn’s brightness, they are not visible from Earth with the unaided eye. Although many people think Saturn’s rings are made up of a series of tiny ringlets, there are few actual gaps. It is better to think of the rings as an annular disc with concentric local minimum and maximum density and brightness. There are several gaps within the rings: two opened by known moons, and many others at locations of known destabilizing orbital resonances from Saturn’s moons.

Here on Universe Today we have a great article about the way Enceladus replenishes the E ring. There is a good article about all of Saturn’s rings, here.

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