Natasha 🇪🇺May 5, 2025

This is Daphnis, one of Saturn's moons. This image shows its unusual gravitational effect on Saturn's rings ...

Daphnis is only about 8 km wide, but its gravity disturbs Saturn's A ring, creating ripples and edge waves. It orbits within the Keeler Gap, a 42 km-wide gap in the rings. This image shows how even small moons can shape massive ring systems.

⬇️ It's a render from 2016 by Kevin Gill. Lots of discussions in the replies.

#Astronomy #Saturn

Show threadAurani Casts Fireball

@Natasha_Jay why is the picture sideways?  

Everyone knows the rings are horizontal!

(She says, jokingly)

Serious: is Daphnis made up of all the dust that used to be in that 42km gap?

May 5, 2025 at 11:36amWeb
Show threadMatt PalmerMay 5, 2025

@Aurani I came here to ask that exact question. It seems extremely plausible that it has at least engorged itself on the nearby ring dust and cleared its orbit to create that neat gap.

@Natasha_Jay