The Saturn Rings Origin: Contribution of Electromagnetism (to the Unified Theory of the Origin of Planetary Rings)

Abstract

Electromagnetic modeling and experimental data observation for Saturn's rings points to the conjecture that the particles constituting the rings may be superconductive. We also argue that the rings could be originated from the protoplanetary cloud of particles if particles are superconducting. The rings system emerges some time after the magnetic field of the planet is being formed. For example it can be a result of the interaction of the superconducting carbon doped ice particles of the protoplanetary cloud with the nonuniform magnetic field. After a transition period as 1000 years or more, all Keplerian orbits of the particles form a sombrero disc in the plane of the magnetic equator where there is a minimum of magnetic energy. The gravitational resonances and other interactions also play an important role and they help bringing the order to the system of rings and gaps. Electromagnetism and superconductivity helps us to understand why the rings appear only for planets if they are located outside the asteroid belt that have a magnetic field and where the temperature is low enough, such as Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. We end up with a unified theory of the formation of planetary rings. The presented model allows enrich the well-known theories that treat gravitational, mechanical, gas-plasma, dusty plasma and magnetohydrodynamic interactions in a consistent way.