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To: Erasmus

..................need not be at the equator (for any planet not in the ecliptic and/or having a rotational axis not perpendicular to the ecliptic).

Agreed, but I would think that the rings would rotate around the center of mass.

(But, of course earth’s magnetic forces do not exactly align with our poles.)


12 posted on 12/31/2012 9:46:48 AM PST by Noob1999 (Loose Lips, Sink Ships)
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To: Noob1999

They are, it’s just the viewing angle that throws you off.


14 posted on 12/31/2012 10:28:32 AM PST by Squawk 8888 (True North- Strong Leader, Strong Dollar, Strong and Free!)
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To: Noob1999

What I was trying to say is that the rings themselves do rotate around the center of mass, but the photo, probably due to the position of the shadow, makes it appear otherwise.

My comment was only with regard to how the shadow can fall at places other than the great circle under the rings. (In accord with theories of planetary formation, that great circle seems to be the equator.)


16 posted on 12/31/2012 11:31:15 AM PST by Erasmus (Zwischen des Teufels und des tiefen, blauen Meers)
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