International Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics, 2013, 3, 412-420
Published Online December 2013 (http://www.scirp.org/journal/ijaa)
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ijaa.2013.34049
Open Access IJAA
About Role of Electromagnetism to the
Saturn Rings Origin
—To the Unified Theory of the Planetary Rings Origin
Vladimir V. Tchernyi
Modern Science Institute at SAIBR, Moscow, Russia
Received August 19, 2013; revised September 16, 2013; accepted September 24, 2013
Copyright © 2013 Vladimir V. Tchernyi. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License,
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
ABSTRACT
Experimental data observation of the Saturn rings points to the conjecture that the particles constituting the rings may
be superconductive. The main argument for this based on the fact that Saturn has a magnetic field and the temperature
in its vicinity is low enough. Electromagnetic modeling shows the rings system emerges some time after appearance of
the planetary magnetic field. Rings can be a result of the interaction of the superconducting carbon doped ice particles
of the protoplanetary cloud with the nonuniform magnetic field. At the beginning all Keplerian orbits of the particles are
located within protoplanetary cloud. After appearance of the magnetic field of Saturn, all iced particles demonstrate
superconductivity and their orbits start to move to the magnetic equator plane where there is a minimum of magnetic
energy. And then particles redistributed like iron particles nearby magnet on laboratory table forming system of rings
and gaps. But rings particles are not stuck together because of Meissner phenomenon. The gravitational resonances and
other interactions also play an important role and they help bring the order to the system of rings and gaps. It becomes
to be clear why the rings appear only for the planets with magnetic field outside the asteroid belt such as Jupiter, Saturn,
Uranus and Neptune. Inside the asteroid belt Sun’s heat is destroying superconductivity. Scenario of the rings creation
for all planets could be the same. So we are coming to the unified theory of the rings origin. The presented model al-
lows enriching the well-known theories that treat gravitational, mechanical, gas-plasma, dusty plasma and magnetohy-
drodynamic interactions in a consistent way.
Keywords: Saturn System; Saturn Rings Origin; Saturn Rings Electromagnetism; Saturn Rings Superconductivity;
Origin of Planetary Rings; Space Electromagnetism; Space Superconductivity
1. Introduction
G. Galileo (1610), Ch. Huygens (1665), G. Cassini
(1671), W. and G. Bond (1848), J. K. Maxwell (1859), S.
Kovalevskaya (1874) and others studied the Saturn rings
nature [1-52]. Different ring systems are morphologically
quite distinct but all are shaped by a few common proc-
esses. In fact, orbital resonances among satellites, moons
and ring particles play an important role in forming a
specific structure of the rings and gaps and enhancing the
influence of the satellites. An experimental data con-
firmed importance of magnetohydrodynamic, gasplasma,
dusty plasma and electromagnetic phenomena for the
rings nature.
There are two versions of the Saturn rings origin: rings
were originated from the debris of the asteroid-type body
destroyed nearby the planet by gravity and centrifugal
forces, or the system of the rings was formed from the
particles of the protoplanetary cloud that initially sur-
rounded Saturn.
We try to show in which way the second model could
work. Namely, the rings appeared as a result of the elec-
tromagnetic interaction of iced particles of the proto-
planetary cloud with the magnetic field of Saturn. We
think it could happen if particles possess superconductiv-
ity as Saturn has a magnetic field and nearby of it the
temperature is low enough, 70 - 110 K.
We know the rings particles are relics of the early days
of the Solar system, and it never subjected to excessive
heating and coalescence. We hope the electromagnetic

V. V. TCHERNYI 413
model would enrich classical theories of the rings origin
in a consistent way.
The role of superconductivity for the origin of Saturn
rings for the first time was presented by A. Yu. Pospelov
and V. V. Tchernyi in 1995 [30] and further well dis-
cussed in detail and published [31-52]. Also we expect
the proposed model that assumes existence of a super-
conducting fraction of the particles forming the Saturn
rings would allow enhancing classical theories of the
planetary rings.
Let’s go to the short history of the superconductivity
problem. H. Kamerlingh Onnes discovered superconduc-
tivity in 1911. In 1933, W. Meissner and R. Ochsenfeld
found that a superconducting material will repel a mag-
netic field. The high-temperature superconductivity was
discovered by J. G. Bednorz and K. A. Muller in 1986
[53]. Superconductivity of ice was experimentally dem-
onstrated by A. N. Babushkin et al. in 1986 [54]. Super-
conductivity of C36 has been conjectured in 1998 [55]. So,
even 7% of a glassy carbon composition of Saturn rings
may contribute to its superconductivity. In 2011 scien-
tists lead by Deutscher G. demonstrated how the excep-
tional large scale superconductor disc frozen with liquid
nitrogen is trapped in a surrounding magnetic field and
can be made to hover over a magnet in any position with
any movements [56].
The following presentation is based on the data and
analyse of the publications of [1-52].
2. Experimental Data Observation
2.1. Thin Width and Sharp Edges of the Rings
Similar to the iron magnetic particles that create dense
and rarefied regions in the nonuniform magnetic field,
superconducting particles also form bands looking from
outside like a system of rings. Superconducting particles
collapse into the stable system of rings as a result of their
exchange between the areas of the gradient of magnetic
field within the plane of the magnetic equator with the
force: F = μdH/dz, where μ—the magnetic moment of
the particle, dH/dz—the gradient of the magnetic field
along the z axis of the magnetic dipole. The force of the
diamagnetic expulsion forms sharp edges of the ring: F =
–μdH/dy, where dH/d y—the gradient of the magnetic
field along the radius of the ring. The accidental break in
the ring will be stabilized by the force of the diamagnetic
expulsion F = –μdH/dx, where dH/dx—gradient of the
magnetic field in the tangential direction. The image of
the magnetic field line deformation measured for the ring
F by the Pioneer mission looks like the image of the
magnetic field expulsed from the ring. It is of the same
nature as for the well-know case of a small supercon-
ducting ceramic sample pushing out its own internal
magnetic field, when exposed to a liquid nitrogen tem-
perature.
2.2. Planetary Radial Dust Flow
Superconducting material is characterized by the Lon-
don’s penetration depth

L of the magnetic field. For par-
ticles of size comparable with the London’s penetration
depth the influence of the magnetic field on supercon-
ductivity becomes appreciable. Smaller particles do not
couple to the planetary magnetic field because they lose
their superconductivity due to their small size. The dy-
namics of these particles is different from the dynamics
of the particles with larger size, > 2

L. Small particles
will fall down to the planet due to gravity. Thus, exis-
tence of a radial planetary dust flux composed of submi-
cron’s size particles is related to a lack of superconduc-
tivity of the ring particles due to their small size. It is also
possible for the particles to lose their superconductivity
by collisions and by magnetic field fluctuations.
2.3. The Azimuthal Brightness of the Saturn A
Ring
Present understanding of this phenomenon is based on: 1)
an assumption of a synchronous rotation of the ring’s
particles with their asymmetrical form as extended ellip-
soids directed under a small angle to the orbit; 2) exis-
tence of an asymmetrical albedo of the surface. Consider
now our model for this phenomenon. If the supercon-
ductor is placed in the magnetic field, a magnetic mo-
ment directed oppositely to the external field is induced.
The matter is magnetized not along the external magnetic
field but in the opposite direction. A superconductive
rings particle in the form of the rod attempts to align it-
self perpendicularly to the magnetic field lines. It is a
known fact from science of ice [57] that growing snow-
flakes at the temperature below −22˚C take the form of
prisms. Thus, the prism of the superconducting ice parti-
cle will be oriented perpendicularly to the field lines of
the poloidal and toroidal components of the magnetic
fields of the Saturn. It becomes now clear that the vari-
able azimutal brightness of the Saturn’s rings system A is
related to the orientation of the elongated ellipsoid of the
superconducting particles versus the direction of the
planetary magnetic field.
2.4. Spokes in the Rings System B
Just as any wheel spokes, the spokes of the rings are
aligned almost radially. The size of the spokes is about
104 km along the radius and about 103 km along the orbit
of the rings. The matter of the spokes consists of micron
and submicron size particles. There were many attempts
to explain the nature of these spokes. Generally, all the
models are based on the action of the force of gravity.
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V. V. TCHERNYI 414
Nevertheless a different idea was put forward that the
nature of rotating spokes perhaps is related to the elec-
tromagnetic force. Analysis of the spectral radiation
power of spokes provides a specific periodicity about
640.6 ± 3.5 min which almost coincides with the period
of rotation of the magnetic field of Saturn (639.4 min).
Moreover a strong correlation of maxima and minima of
activity of spokes with the spectral magnetic longitudes
is connected to presence or absence of the radiation of
Saturn’s Kilometric Radiation (SKR). It enhances the
assumption of the dependence of the spoke dynamics on
the magnetic field of Saturn and testifies to the presence
of large-scale anomalies in the magnetic field of Saturn.
We can add the following explanation of it.
Superconducting ice particles of the ring matter are
orbiting in accordance with the Kepler’s law and have
their own speed on each orbit. Further, a magnetic field
of Saturn has its own anomalies along some radial direc-
tion from the planet. When the particles enter into this
anomalous region, the diamagnetic expulsion force that
is applied to the particles changes its value. The particles
then begin to change their orbit. For the significant num-
ber of participating particles, for the external observer,
this process appears as the turbulent cloud stretched
along the radius in the form of spokes. After passing
anomaly, particles return to their prior orbit and the com-
mon appearance of the rings is recovered.
2.5. High Reflection and Low Brightness of the
Rings Particles in the Radiofrequency Range
This also can be explained by the superconductivity of
the ice particles. Discovery in 1973 of the strong radar-
tracking reflection from the rings of Saturn was surpris-
ing. It turned out that the rings of the Saturn actually
have the greatest radar-tracking section among all bodies
of the Solar system. It was explained by assuming a me-
tallic nature of the particles. The data of the Voyager
excludes this possibility. The disk of superconducting
particles completely reflects radiation with frequencies
below 1011 Hz and poorly reflects radiation with higher
frequencies, as in the case of a superconductor. The su-
perconductor practically has no electric resistance up to
frequencies of 100 MHz. A threshold is about 100 GHz
and above. From Figure 1 we can see the sharp change
of resistance. It may be caused by quantum phenomena
in this range. Consequently it produces a specific depen-
dence of the brightness.
2.6. Intrinsic Wide Band Pulse Radiation of the
Rings
Data of Voyager have shown that the rings radiate intrin-
sic wide band pulse radiation within the 20 KHz - 40.2
MHz. These waves probably are the result of an interac-
10−5 10
−4 10 −3 10 −2 10 −1
Wavelen gt h λ, m
100
80
60
40
20
0
Brightness
Temperature, K
R_surface, Ohm
10
0
10
−2
10
−4
10
−6
10
−8
2000 1500 1000 500 0
Frequensy, GHz
Figure 1. The top picture is the spectral dependence of the
brightness temperature of the rings. Practically, we have a
transition from black-body radiation to almost total reflec-
tion is observed [9,10,12]. The bottom diagram is depend-
ence of the surface resistance of the superconductor on fre-
quency for Nb at T = 2K [Brinkmann R., Dohlus M., Tr ines
D., Novokhatski A., Timm M., Weiland T., Hulsmann P.,
Rieck C.T., Scharnberg K., Schmuser P. March 2000.
Terahertz Wakefields in the Superconducting Cavities of
the TESLA-FEL Linac. Tesla Reports].
tion of charged particles with the particles of ice and fric-
tion of ice particles when the co-striking occurs. These
incidental radio discharges are called Saturn’s Electro-
static Discharges (SED). The average period of SED is
well defined by Voyager −1, −2 in between 10 hours 10
± 5 min and 10 hours 11 ± 5 min. If the ring has a source
of SED then the area of this source can be located at the
distance of 107,990 - 109,000 km from the planet ac-
cording to the measured periodicity.
Experimental data for SKR, SED and spokes activity
specify the electromagnetic coupling between the plane-
tary ring system and the magnetosphere of the planet. As
it goes from consideration of the presented electromag-
netic model, for superconducting particles approaching
distance about 10−8 m or if they have a point contact, a
superconducting transition can occur, as electrons can be
tunneled through the gap. Consequently, this type of su-
perconducting weak link begins to generate electromag-
netic radiation—a non-stationary Josephson phenomenon
for superconductors. The radiation frequency is propor-
tional to the junction voltage, ν = 2eV/h, where 2e/h =
483.6 MHz/µV, e is the charge of electron, h is the Plank
constant.
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V. V. TCHERNYI 415
2.7. Frequency Anomalies of Thermal Radiation
of the Rings in the Range of 100 µm - 1 cm
The measured brightness temperature for the short
wavelengths is less than the true brightness temperature
of the rings and, for the longer wavelengths, the rings
look much colder than in the case when the radiation
corresponds to their physical temperature. Within the
range 100 µm - 1 mm the brightness temperature of the
ring (Figure 1) sharply falls below the black body char-
acteristics. For the wavelengths longer than 1 cm a ring
behaves as the diffusion screen, reflecting planetary and
cold space radiation. The central part of the spectral
range 100 µm - 1 cm is the most sensitive part of this de-
pendence which may contain the important information
for the fundamental properties of the substance of the
particles. In the superconductor, electrons do not interact
with the crystal lattice and do not exchange energy with
it. That’s why there is no heat transfer from one part of
the body into another. Hence, when the substance passes
into a superconducting condition, its heat conductivity is
lowered. And for temperatures significantly below criti-
cal, there are very few ordinary electrons capable of
transferring heat.
2.8. Color Difference in the Small Scale of Rings
The balance of the three forces determines the position of
the superconducting particles in the gravitational and
magnetic planetary fields: gravitational force, centrifugal
one and magnetic levitation (diamagnetic expulsion),
Figure 1. Following our model, we consider a distribu-
tion of three particles (a, b, c) with equal weights and
being on nearby orbits. Let the particles a—entirely of a
superconducting pure ice, b—the ice particles with an
impurity of clathrate-hydrates of ammonia or methane
(NH3; CH4H2O), c—ice particles with impurities of sul-
fur and iron containing silicates (H2S). Each impurity
provides its own contribution to the superconductivity
phase and it will determine the color of the particle. The
force of a diamagnetic expulsion FL depends on the
volume of the superconducting phase. Therefore for each
of the considered particles the balance of the three forces
on the orbit has a different radius.
2.9. Anomalous Inversed Reflection of Circularly
Polarized Microwaves for Wavelengths
above 1 cm
The study of reflection of radiowaves with the wave-
length more than 1 cm from the rings has been made by
the ground based radar and by the space probe. The re-
flection appears rather large and the geometrical albedo
is about 0.34 and it has no strong dependence on the
wavelength or on the angle of the inclination of the ring’s
pitch. So the rings are strong depolarizers. That’s why in
order to get any information from reflections measure-
ments it is necessary to measure a reflected signal of two
orthogonal polarizations separately. The reflected portion
of the signal of the same polarization as the incoming
signal is called the signal of “observed” polarization. The
perpendicular component is called a signal of “unob-
served” polarization. A difference between these two
signals provides information about so the called factor of
polarization which indicates polarization properties of
the object.
For the planets of the Solar system, a reflected signal
of unobserved polarization is usually small. As for the
Saturn rings, for the same range of wavelengths and an-
gles of an inclination of the incident wave, the factor of
polarization becomes much bigger. It has an explanation
based on theory of electromagnetic waves reflection from
a superconductor. The superconductor differs significan-
tly from the ideal conductor. It has almost infinite con-
ductivity and it also demonstrates an ideal diamagnetism.
In case of a reflection from the superconductive ice par-
ticle rings, it means that if the incident wave of the radar
signal with a circular polarization has certain chirality,
then the same chirality should be for the reflected wave.
2.10. An Atmosphere of Unknown Origin at the
Rings
The atmosphere of Saturn’s rings can originate as a result
of the thin balance of forces of gravitational attraction
and diamagnetic expulsion of gas molecules. Levitation
of gas molecules may be originated as a result of its dia-
magnetic expulsion from superconducting particles due
to induced magnetic moments by a magnetic field of the
planet. A similar situation can be observed under labora-
tory conditions when an atmospheric water steam is pre-
cipitated on a substance as a white-frost at the transition
point of the substance from the superconducting into a
conventional state.
2.11. Existence of Waves of Density and Bending
Waves within the Rings
The existence of the waves of density and bending waves
in the Saturn rings has no complete explanation based
only on gravitational phenomena. Let’s use our model.
Note that the external magnetic field is directed along a
free surface of the diamagnetic fluid representing a disk
of the rings. Consider a localized deformation of the disc
surface at some point of the ring. It can be induced, for
example, by fluctuating gravitational forces of Saturn
moons or satellites, or due to magnetohydrodynamic,
gas-plasma and dusty plasma effects. Then a ponderomo-
tive force will be created and applied in the opposite di-
rection to preserve an original disc surface. Therefore the
planetary magnetic field enhances the stiffness and sta-
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V. V. TCHERNYI 416
bility of the disc surface.
3. Electromagnetic Model of the Saturn
Rings Origin
3.1. Origin of the Rings from the Iced Particles
of the Protoplanetary Cloud
Prior to emergence of the Saturn magnetic field, all the
particles within the protoplanetary cloud are located on
the Keplerian orbits exhibiting a balance of the force of
gravity and the centrifugal force. With emergence of the
Saturn magnetic field the superconducting particles of
the proto-planetary cloud begin to demonstrate an ideal
diamagnetism (Meissner-Ochsenfeld phenomenon). Par-
ticles begin to interact with the magnetic field and all the
particles become involved in an additional azimuth-or-
bital motion [30-36]. Let’s estimate the result of this mo-
tion [42,43].
If the magnetic field of the planet is H and the plane-
tary magnetic moment is μ, then the magnetic field at any
particular point within the protoplanetary cloud located at
the distance r can be presented as:

5
3,
rr


rrμ
3

μ
H (2.1)
Then the superconducting sphere of the radius R lo-
cated within the protoplanetary cloud acquires the mag-
netic moment
3
R MH
2
RH
(2.2)
The energy of the superconductor in the magnetic field
is:

3
,
H
U MH (2.3)
Placing the origin of the coordinates at the center of
the planet and directing the z axis along the magnetic
moment of the planet (orthogonal to equator), the ex-
pression for magnetic energy then becomes:

32
2
63cos 1
H
R
Ur




. (2.4)
Here θ—the angle between the vector r and the axis z.
It can be seen from the expression (2.4) that the magnetic
energy of the superconducting particle has a minimum
value when the radius-vector r (the position of the su-
perconducting particle) is in a plane of the magnetic
equator and is perpendicular to the axis z

cos 0 


.
Consider now only one particle. Evidently its azimuth-
orbital direction trajectory (orbit) can only be disturbed
by the magnetic field. However in case of a significant
amount of particles forming the protoplanetary cloud,
after a transient time estimated as 1000 years or more,
collisions between particles will compensate their azi-
muth-orbital movements, and as a result all orbits of the
particles of the protoplanetary cloud should come to-
gether to the magnetic equator plane and create highly
flattening disc around the planet. Within the disc of the
rings all particles will become located on the Keplerian
orbit where there is a balance of gravity, centrifugal and
electromagnetic forces. At the same time orbital reso-
nances (due to a gravity force) between satellites, moons
and the ring particles would play an important role in
forming a specific structure of the rings and gaps.
3.2. Particle Repelling and Collision within the
Ring Width
Let’s define the energy of the interaction of two super-
conducting particles with the magnetic moments 1
z
μ
and 2
z
μ
located at positions r1 and r2, respectively as:
12
U

μ
H
, (2.5)
The magnetic field H2 induced by the magnetic mo-
ment 2
μ
can be presented as

 


12 2122
253
12 12
3


rr μrr μ
H
rr rr
(2.6)
If the particle with the magnetic moment 2
μ
is
placed at the origin (r2 = 0) then the expression for the
energy of the interaction of two particles (2.5) will read:




11 2112
5
11
3
U 
μrμrμ
3
μ
rr
(2.7)
The planetary magnetic field in the plane of the Saturn
rings coincides with the planet rotation axis. If the axis z
is directed along the rotation axis of the planet, then the
magnetic moment of the particles will be also directed
along z. In cylindrical coordinate system (ρ, φ, z) (2.7) is:


2
12 52 32
22 22
22
12
52
22
31
2
z
z
zz
z
U
zz
z
z







 






(2.8)
From (2.8) we can estimate an interaction of two su-
perconducting particles for two different cases. The first
one is when two particles located in the same plane
within the sombrero of the rings (z = 0), and the second
situation is when two particles are located on the differ-
ent planes but on the same axis (ρ = 0). For the particles
with the magnetic moments 1
z
μ
and 2
z
μ
located on
the same plane, z = 0, we get the interaction energy as:
12
3
z
z
U


, (2.9)
From (2.9) it follows that both particles will repel each
other and they will maintain a separate distance between
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V. V. TCHERNYI 417
them. This result has been confirmed by the data of Cas-
sini mission: the particles are separated. If particles are
located on the same axis but on different planes, the ex-
pression for the interaction energy is:
12
3
z
z
U
z

 , (2.10)
Now both particles could attract each other; they could
even collide or stick together and form bigger clusters or
lumps of ice. This process has an experimental confor-
mation by the Cassini mission. From the data of the Cas-
sini mission it follows that the particles within the thick-
ness of the rings can collide or even stick together and
create bigger clusters of ice. Then, in the following proc-
ess, particles of 50 meters or more in diameter can be
shattered into smaller pieces by a combined action of
gravity and centrifugal force.
4. Discussion
In this paper we try to discuss an idea which assumes that
the rings were created from the particles of the proto-
planetary cloud around the Saturn. This idea is well-
known. However, the model has not been fully devel-
oped yet. We proposed a novel mechanism of the rings
which originate from the iced particles of the proto-
planetary cloud after appearance of the magnetic field of
Saturn. For this type of scenario particles should possess
superconductivity. This suggestion looks reasonable be-
cause Saturn has a magnetic field and its surroundings
temperature is about 70 - 100 K.
On the basis of the analytical discussion of these
ground-based and space-based experiments, it was shown
that the particles of Saturn’s rings may have supercon-
ductivity. Therefore, presence of superconducting sub-
stance may be possible in the space at the asteroid belt
and behind it. Although superconducting particles can
form a relatively compact macroscopic structure forma-
tion, on short distances however they weakly repel each
other in presence of an external magnetic field (resem-
bling a fluidized bed).
At the beginning when idea of superconductivity of
the rings particles came to us [30], we decided to report
[31-38] and publish it [39-41]. We remember as Pyotr
Kapitsa the Nobel Prize winner (1978) for the work in
low-temperature physics said: “The worst in scientific
work is triviality. The most important is not accuracy but
novelty. Never miss a chance of publication of new
ideas” (Uspekhi Fizicheskih Nauk—Physics-Uspekhi.
Advances in Physical Sciences, 1994, Vol. 164, p. 1326).
The resolution of the proposed problem is based on the
solution of the task of the electromagnetic interaction of
the moving superconductive ice-carbon particles with
magnetic field of Saturn. The problem was solved by
electromagnetic simulation [42,43]. Finally, we have re-
ceived evidence and demonstration of reality of the sug-
gested scenario of the rings origin [44-52].
The same way as the iron particles that create dense
and rarefied regions in the nonuniform magnetic field on
the laboratory table, superconducting iced particles in the
magnetic field of Saturn also form bands which look
from outside like a system of rings. But the difference
between these two examples is that the superconducting
particles are pushed out the internal magnetic field, it
repels them, and that’s why rings particles will not stick
together. Finally after transitional period of time super-
conducting iced particles of the protoplanetary cloud
would collapse into the stable system of rings within the
plane of the magnetic equator as a result of their interac-
tion between the areas of the gradient of magnetic field.
All ring systems are morphologically quite distinct but
all are shaped by a few common processes. In fact orbital
resonances among satellites, moons and ring particles
play an important role in forming a specific structure of
the rings system gaps and enhancing the influence of the
satellites as well as the gravitational, mechanical, mag-
netohydrodynamic, dusty plasma and gas-plasma, inter-
actions.
Also superconductivity of the ring particles may re-
flect the fact that the ring particles are relics of the early
days of the Solar system and the particles were never
subject to coalescence and heating.
The presented theory of the origin of Saturn’s rings
from the protoplanetary cloud based on superconductiv-
ity of its particles is a direct continuation of the J.K.
Maxwell theory published in 1859 [1,2]. The founder of
the theory of electromagnetic waves in his award win-
ning paper on the subject “On the stability of the motion
of Saturn’s rings”, deduces that the rings of the Saturn
cannot be solid and the rings could be stable only if they
consist of “an indefinite number of unconnected particles
orbiting Saturn in much the same way as our Moon orbits
the Earth, gravitational forces otherwise would destroy
them” [1]. Ground based experiments and the data from
Pioneer, Voyager −1, −2 and Cassini-Huygens space
missions have revealed that the rings are composed of
separate pure ice particles and ice particles with carbon
and other impurities.
At Maxwell time there was no knowledge about su-
perconductivity (discovered in 1911) and the force of a
diamagnetic expulsion of the magnetic field from the
superconductor (discovered in 1933). High temperature
superconductivity [53] and superconductivity of ice [54]
were discovered in 1986. Superconductivity of C36 has
been conjectured in 1998 [55].
An important demonstration happened in 2011 when
physicists lead by Deutscher G. has been experimenting
with superconductors trapped in a magnetic field to pro-
duce “quantum locking” and “quantum levitation” [56]:
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V. V. TCHERNYI 418
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws6AAhTw7RA. By
using the exceptional large scale superconductors they
are able to demonstrate a quantum effect that was never
seen and demonstrated this way. They showed how a
disc frozen with liquid nitrogen can be made to hover
over a magnet in any position. Similarly, it can “fly” over
a track at any height or at any angle. It even appeared to
defy gravity as it circled underneath the track.
The foregoing electromagnetic modeling and discus-
sion of the experimental data significantly strengthen the
model of a formation mechanism of planetary rings due
to electromagnetism and superconductivity. The pre-
sented theory allows us to extend existing theories of the
rings origin such as gravitational, mechanical, magneto-
hydrodynamics, gas-plasma and dusty plasma interac-
tions in a coherent way without conflict with them.
Electromagnetism and superconductivity help us to
understand why the rings appear only for the planets if
planets are located outside the asteroid belt that have a
magnetic field and where the temperature is low enough.
Notice that for the planets located inside the asteroid belt
heat destroys superconductivity.
Intriguing fact is that presented above scenario of the
rings origin for the Saturn is applicable for the other
planets—Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune. As a result, we
obtain a unified theory of the origin of the planetary rings.
Consideration above is applicable for Jupiter, Saturn,
Uranus and Neptune because the physical conditions of
these planets in general look the same—existence of the
magnetic field and low temperature environment.
5. Conclusions
From the above analysis we come to a conclusion about
the need to consider the natural superconductivity in the
Solar system space outside the belt of asteroid. It may
have a fundamental feature for analyzing data of the
Cassini probe and striking parallels to other stars system.
An organic molecules found in the rings [24] may also
possess superconductivity. And consequently the force of
a diamagnetic expulsion of the magnetic field from the
superconductor may be a driving force for propagation of
the iced organic molecules within the interstellar space
by electromagnetic means as it is presented in [58,59].
Also as an outcome we can see that the conclusion
made by H. Alfven [6-8] and confirmed by Cassini space-
craft [21-25] that the “solar system history as recorded in
the Saturn rings structure” becomes a physical reality
because the proposed electromagnetic model of the Sat-
urn rings origin due to the fact that the superconductivity
of the protoplanetary cloud particles provides a contribu-
tion to it.
6. Acknowledgements
The author would like to express greatest thanks to Ev-
geny P. Bazhanov, Tom V. Zaitsev, Evgeny V. Chensky,
Andrew Yu. Pospelov, Anri A. Rukhadze, Valery A.
Miliaev, Valery A. Dybov, Olga I. Chernaya, Mikhail V.
Belodedov, Iurii B. Milovanov, Vladislav V. Tsykalo,
Aleksander G. Zadokhin, Georgi A. Rudov, Oleg V.
Bagdamyan, Petr A. Razvin, Pavel G. Kabanen (Moscow,
Russia), John R. Whinnery and Ture K. Gustafson at UC
Berkeley, Jin Au Kong at MIT, Cambridge, Essam A.
Marouf at San Jose State University, CA, James F. Spann,
Robert B. Sheldon and Konstanty Mazuruk at Marshall
Space Flight Center and University of Alabama at Hunt-
sville, Peter Goldreich at Caltech, Martha Pardavi-
Horvath at John Washington University and the National
Bureau of Standards in Washington DC, Yahya Rahmat-
Samii at UCLA, Gary C. Gerlach at Orion Group, San
Jose, CA, Guennadi A. Kouzaev at NTNU in Trondheim,
Norway, Youri V. Shestopalov at Karlstad University,
Sweden, Pablo M. Cincotta at IAFE, Buenos Aires, Ar-
gentina, Ezio Salce in Torino, Italy, Alexei V. Lazarev in
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Naomi and Stan Tchernyi in Jo-
hannesburg, RSA, Valentina, Alla and Vadim Stankovich
in Piedmont, CA, Alicia Pagliere, Nikolay N. Komarov,
Viktor and Sergey Vasilyev at SVVTI, Sacramento, CA,
Elena D. Vinokurova in Alexandria, Egypt and to all
participants of the seminars and conferences: the NASA
Marshall Space Flight Center and the Huntsville Space
Physics Colloquium; the Institute for Astronomy at the
University of Hawaii; Astrophysics and the Space Re-
search Center at the University of California in San
Diego; University of California at Berkeley and Davis;
the Institute of Astronomy and Physics, La Plata, Buenos
Aires; Faculty of Engineering of Alexandria University,
Egypt; the Progress In Electromagnetic Research Sym-
posium (PIERS) organized by MIT; the 42nd - 50th SPIE
Annual Meetings; the 30th Annual Meeting of the Divi-
sion of Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical
Society and Pulkovo Astronomical Observatory of St.
Petersburg, Russia.
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