Formation of the G-ring arc

TL;DR

This paper explores how the eccentricity of Mimas could lead to the formation of the G-ring arc around Saturn by capturing particles into a corotation resonance, combining simulations and analytical methods.

Contribution

It proposes a novel mechanism involving eccentricity excitation of Mimas to explain the origin of the G-ring arc, supported by numerical and analytical analysis.

Findings

Eccentricity excitation of Mimas can capture particles into corotation resonance.

Simulation results support the resonance capture scenario.

Provides a plausible explanation for the origin of Saturn's G-ring arc.

Abstract

Since 2004, the images obtained by Cassini spacecraft's on-board cameras have revealed the existence of several small satellites in the Saturn system. Some of these small satellites are embedded in arcs of particles. While these satellites and their arcs are known to be in corotation resonances with Mimas, their origin remains unknown. This work investigates one possible process for capturing bodies into a corotation resonance, which involves raising the eccentricity of a perturbing body. Therefore, through numerical simulations and analytical studies, we show a scenario that the excitation of Mimas' eccentricity could capture particles in a corotation resonance and given a possible explanation for the origin for the arcs.