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 threadsheislaurenceMay 5, 2025
@Natasha_Jay what are the rings made of?
Show threadnaught101
@sheislaurence @Natasha_Jay
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rings_of_Saturn
Rings of Saturn - Wikipedia

May 5, 2025 at 2:44pmWeb
Show threadsheislaurenceMay 5, 2025
@naught101 @Natasha_Jay "With an estimated local thickness of as little as 10 meters (32' 10") and as much as 1 km (1093 yards),they are composed of 99.9% pure water ice with a smattering of impurities that may include tholins or silicates.The main rings are primarily composed of particles smaller than 10 m."🤗