PASADENA, Calif., Sept. 9 (UPI) -- NASA scientists examining Saturn's contorted F ring, which has baffled them since its discovery, have found a new ring of material associated with the planet's moon, Atlas.
They also have found one small body -- possibly two -- orbiting in the F ring region.
The small object was discovered moving near the outside edge of the F ring, inside the orbit of Saturn's moon, Pandora.
Scientists cannot say yet if the object is a moon or a temporary clump of ring material. If it is a moon, its diameter is estimated at only 2 to 3 miles, and it is orbiting at a distance of about 86,000 miles from Saturn's center and within about 200 miles of the orbit of the moon, Pandora -- in nearly the same orbit as the newly discovered ring, now called S/2004 1R.
Scientists have given the new moon the temporary name S/2004 S3. A search of other images of the new object to pin down its orbit has revealed a possible second object, named S/2004 S4.
If the new moon is confirmed, it will bring the Saturn moon count to 34, and the new ring adds to the growing number of narrow ringlets in orbit around Saturn.
