Claude Roddier
IfA

Adaptive Optics Observations of Saturn's Ring Plane Crossing in August 1995: Scientific Results.

Abstract: The ring near disappearance offers a rare
          opportunity to detect faint objects orbiting
          around Saturn. Whereas the Hubble Space
          Telescope discovered 3 new objects, we
          discovered 9 additional objects that escaped
          to it. We also detected a temporary arc of
          particles possibly produced by collision of
          ice blocks near the orbit of Enceladus.
          The rings and the small satellites were
          photometrically analyzed, including an ecclipse
          of Epimetheus. A model of the rings was
          obtained showing evidence for a flared diffuse
          component and a possible warp of the ring surface.