Ring Ripples

Two new studies indicate certain ripples in the ring systems of Jupiter and Saturn can be traced to debris associated with comets that struck the rings. The ripples studied in Jupiter's dark, sparse rings, for example, could be traced back to the Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 debris cloud. Scientists think studying such ripples can give them a better idea of the number of comets in the Solar System, as well as a better understanding of exactly how dynamic an area the outer Solar System is.