Abstract
OBSERVATIONS from aircraft of Saturn's thermal emission do not resolve the flux component of the rings from that of the planet1,2. Ground-based observations in the windows at 11 and 20 µm, which resolve the rings and disk contributions, include only a small fraction of the thermal flux and are sensitive to greenhouse effects3–6. Using new filter techniques for ground-based observations7, we have measured the relative thermal emission from the rings and disk of Saturn in the band from 29 to 43 µm. This measurement provides an important constraint for separating the thermal properties of Saturn from those of its rings.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Armstrong, K. R., Harper, D. A., jun., and Low, F. J., Astrophys. J. Lett., 178, L89 (1972).
Aumann, H. H., Gillespie, C. M., jun., and Low, F. J., Astrophys. J. Lett., 157, L69 (1969).
Low, F. J., Astron. J., 69, 550 (1964).
Allen, D. A., and Murdock, T. L., Icarus, 14, 1 (1971).
Low, F. J., Astrophys. J., 71, 391 (1966).
Murphy, R. E., Astron. J. Lett., 181, L87 (1973).
Nolt, I. G., Radostitz, J. V., and Donnelly, R. J., Publ. astr. Soc. Pacific, 85, 535 (1973).
Low, F. J., Rieke, G. H., and Armstrong, K. R., Astrophys. J. Lett., 183, L105 (1973).
Trafton, L. M., Astrophys. J., 147, 765 (1967).
Cook, A. F., Franklin, F. A., and Palluconi, F. D., Icarus, 18, 317 (1973).
Walker, R. G., thesis, Harvard Univ. (1966).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
NOLT, I., RADOSTITZ, J., DON NELLY, R. et al. Thermal emission of Saturn's rings and disk at 34 µm. Nature 248, 659–660 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/248659a0
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/248659a0
This article is cited by
-
The rings of Saturn
Space Science Reviews (1975)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.