Large size GIF image (13969 bytes)
Image FDS 43993.50 captured a closeup of a pair of waves at the 5:3 resonance with the moon Mimas. The inner wave (right) is a spiral bending wave, made of vertical oscillations in the rings. It is visible because the peaks cast shadows over the troughs. The outer wave (left) is a spiral density wave, in which particles are bunched together in a spiral pattern. The distance between the two waves is about 400 km.