Apse Alignment of Narrow Eccentric Planetary Rings
Apse Alignment of Narrow Eccentric Planetary Rings
The boundaries of the Uranian , α, and β rings can be fitted by Keplerian ellipses. The pair of ellipses that outline a given ring share a common line of apsides. Apse alignment is surprising because the quadrupole moment of Uranus induces differential precession. We propose that rigid precession is …