Saturn's Rings: Why Are They Split?

[Forestman]

Why are Saturns rings broken up into many rings? Why don't they all just orbit together in one massive ring.

 

[tiny-tim]

Why are Saturns rings broken up into many rings? Why don't they all just orbit together in one massive ring.

Hi Forestman!

Because Saturn's moons sweep out gaps at certain "resonant" radii …

each gap can be identified with a particular moon

(dunno what the maths is, though )

 

[Forestman]

Thanks tiny-tim.