GreyGoblin
GreyGoblin t1_j5b2x7j wrote
Reply to Can planetary rings be a solid surface? by barbadizzy
Orbital mechanics, has something to say about stable orbits. Material closer to planet must travel faster, material further away must travel slower. A ring of any sizeable width will swirl over time, spinning faster or slower depending on distance from the body it's orbiting.
Not an astrophysicist, but I believe that's the same driving force that can make rings. When a moon's orbit degrades to the point where the difference in gravity between the near-side and far-side is greater than the moons own binding gravity, the near side will naturally accelerate away from the moon while the far-side luffs off behind.
So no, a ring cannot be a solid plate. But a series of hoops with bearings between them? Well probably not that either since rings aren't flat but undulate up and down in the plane of their orbit due to... Science.
GreyGoblin t1_jac8is1 wrote
Reply to After an honest days work, by me, charcoal on paper, 2023 by Billy_Breakfast
Had to zoom in real close to figure out what was going on with her right foot.