The main gravitational effect that organizes the particles in the rings of Saturn into specific narrow orbits is
A) the complex gravitational effects of the planet and the Sun on the ring particles.
B) perturbations by neighboring planets, such as Jupiter and Neptune.
C) collisions between the ring particles and the major moons of the planets.
D) gravitational perturbations by the moons orbiting the planet.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The main gravitational effect that organizes the particles in Saturn's rings into specific narrow orbits is the gravitational perturbations by the moons orbiting the planet. These moons, often referred to as "shepherd moons," exert gravitational forces that can confine particles to narrow rings and help maintain the structure of the rings over time.

The Main Gravitational Effect That Organizes the Particles in the Rings