Pan minds the gap
Pan, Saturn’s innermost natural satellite, orbits in what is known as the Encke Gap. Pan doesn’t just mind the gap, itminesthe gap, sweeping up debris in the gap between rings. This keeps the rings edge defined, any material that gets too close to the moon is bumped out, or accreted. Gravitational effects can also be seen as long waves of debris behind Pan.
Raw images from Cassini, contrast added
(via abcstarstuff)
