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The 20 March 1980 occultation by the Uranian ringsOn March 20, 1980, observations of occultations by rings alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and epsilon were observed from Cerro Tololo and Sutherland. A model ring profile was fit to the data to obtain the midtimes of the occultations and the widths of the profiles. A 14-parameter kinematic model, including J sub 2, J sub 4, and some of the orbital elements for rings 4, alpha, beta, and epsilon as free parameters, was fit to these data and previous ring occultation timings. The results yield J sub 2 = (3.396 + or - 0.020) x 10 to the -3 and a 2 sigma upper limit, absolute value of J sub 4 less than 7 x 10 to the -5th. Uniform precession models for rings alpha, beta are established and the dispersion in the values of semimajor axes and eccentricities for rings alpha, beta, and epsilon have been obtained. If self-gravity is the cause of the uniform precession, the mass of the beta ring is estimated at approximately 4 x 10 to the 16th g; the mass of the alpha ring probably is also near this value.
Document ID
19810037627
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Elliot, J. L.
(Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory La Serena, Chile)
Frogel, J. A.
(Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory La Serena, Chile)
Elias, J. H.
(Observatorio Interamericano de Cerro Tololo La Serena, Chile)
Glass, I. S.
(South African Astronomical Observatory Cape Town, Republic of South Africa, United States)
French, R. G.
(Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory La Serena, Chile)
Mink, D. J.
(MIT Cambridge, Mass., United States)
Liller, W.
(Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory La Serena, Chile)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1981
Publication Information
Publication: Astronomical Journal
Volume: 86
Subject Category
Astronomy
Accession Number
81A22031
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7256
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF AST-78-27879
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF AST-79-08376
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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