Dr. Jeffrey N. Cuzzi
Space Science Division
NASA Ames Research Center
Moffett Field, CA 94035
General Description of Interdisciplinary Investigation:
This Cassini mission interdisciplinary scientific investigation
is concerned with the study of the chemical composition, structure,
particle sizes, origins, and evolutions of rings and dust streams
in the Saturn system. The investigation will make use of the Cassini
science data base to determine the detailed nature and dynamics
of SaturnÕs rings.
Scientific Objectives of Interdisciplinary Investigation:
Determine main ring "porosity" to obtain random
velocities, vertical thickness, viscosity
Determine the cause of fine and intermediate scale structure,
including viscous or ballistic transport, waves, wakes, moonlets,
and electromagnetic effects.
Determine the mass fraction of non-icy to icy material (radial
variation, silicates vs. organics) and their relationship with
embedded and/or external sources.
Determine the interaction of interplanetary meteoroid flux
with the rings with respect to dynamical population, transport,
"pollution," and ring spokes.
Determine the locations, contents, and dynamical interactions
of moonlet belts; i.e., accretion/destruction processes, transient
features, and particle size distributions within and near the
D, F, and G rings.
Determine the age and origin of rings and understand the
global ring structure, especially within the A, B, and C rings.
For additional information on the Rings and Dust
Interdisciplinary Investigation, see http://www-space.arc.nasa.gov/division/rt_reports/cuzzi_2.html
(NASA Ames Space Science Division homepage).
