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Theory of radio occultation by Saturn's ringsThe radio occultation technique, as applied to Saturn's rings, is developed as a new method for the study of the physical properties of planetary ring systems. The rings are treated as a Doppler-spread radar target composed of an ensemble of discrete scatterers. The mathematical formulation of the received signal as a random-phasor-sum process is carried out following a conventional radar theory approach, providing a convenient starting point for deriving coherent signal parameters. A classical result is rederived for the equivalent refractive index of the medium. The analysis is generalized to include ringlets of arbitrary width and it is shown that when the width is such that two adjacent rays are differentially perturbed in phase, ray bending that causes focusing of the coherent signal may result. The diffuse component is also treated in detail.
Document ID
19820050022
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Marouf, E. A.
(Stanford Univ. CA, United States)
Tyler, G. L.
(Stanford Univ. CA, United States)
Eshleman, V. R.
(Stanford University Stanford, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1982
Publication Information
Publication: Icarus
Volume: 49
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
82A33557
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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