Saturn Ring Spokes...Probable ArtifactPosted By Damian Peach |
Hi all,
Interesting. I 100% agree with Jim's original conclusion of dust problems. Lets me explain why:
We have two high res images of Saturn in visible light (the ATK image is basically a BW verison of the colour one in terms of recorded wavelengths) and the colour image shows nothing remotely resembling such features. Also look carfeully at the BW image - the darkening extends across ring A also. This would be highly unlikely in reality that a spoke feature would cross from B to A ring (since they are composed of different materials.) Jim himself admits the dust problems with the camera, and its likely caused buy the Planet steadily drifting in declination during the AVI run in relation to the dust mark.
With further regard to spokes, in 6 years as the Assisant Director for the BAA Saturn section, i have never recieved an image amatuer or professional that shows definate spoke features in the ring system. The only time ive ever seen them was in the Voyager movies and once in Pic du Midi images in 1997. It seriosuly makes me question the validity of many visual sightings, when *objective* high resolution imagery (in cases in the past during the same times as reported sightings) shows nothing of the kind.
A Saturnian mystery that remains i guess
Best Wishes
Damian
Interesting. I 100% agree with Jim's original conclusion of dust problems. Lets me explain why:
We have two high res images of Saturn in visible light (the ATK image is basically a BW verison of the colour one in terms of recorded wavelengths) and the colour image shows nothing remotely resembling such features. Also look carfeully at the BW image - the darkening extends across ring A also. This would be highly unlikely in reality that a spoke feature would cross from B to A ring (since they are composed of different materials.) Jim himself admits the dust problems with the camera, and its likely caused buy the Planet steadily drifting in declination during the AVI run in relation to the dust mark.
With further regard to spokes, in 6 years as the Assisant Director for the BAA Saturn section, i have never recieved an image amatuer or professional that shows definate spoke features in the ring system. The only time ive ever seen them was in the Voyager movies and once in Pic du Midi images in 1997. It seriosuly makes me question the validity of many visual sightings, when *objective* high resolution imagery (in cases in the past during the same times as reported sightings) shows nothing of the kind.
A Saturnian mystery that remains i guess
Best Wishes
Damian
