2. On Theories of the Constitution of Saturn's Rings

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Abstract
The planet Saturn is surrounded by several concentric flattened rings, which appear to be quite free from any connection with each other, or with the planet, except that due to gravitation.The exterior diameter of the whole system of rings is estimated at about 176,000 miles, the breadth from outer to inner edge of the entire system, 36,000 miles, and the thickness not more than 100 miles.It is evident that a system of this kind, so broad and so thin, must depend for its stability upon the dynamical equilibrium between the motions of each part of the system, and the attractions which act on it, and that the cohesion of the parts of so large a body can have no effect whatever on its motions, though it were made of the most rigid material known on earth.

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