American Astronomical Society, Astrophysical Journal, 1(627), p. L73-L76, 2005
DOI: 10.1086/431933
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Using the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS), the Chandra X-Ray Observatory observed the Saturnian system for one rotation of the planet (∼37 ks) on 2004 January 20 and again on January 26–27. In this Letter we report the detection of X-ray emission from the rings of Saturn. The X-ray spectrum from the rings is dominated by emission in a narrow (∼130 eV–wide) energy band centered on the atomic oxygen K alpha fluorescence line at 0.53 keV. The X-ray power emitted from the rings in the 0.49–0.62 keV band is 84 MW, which is about one-third of that emitted from Saturn’s disk in the photon energy range 0.24–2.0 keV. Our analysis also finds a clear detection of X-ray emission from the rings in the 0.49–0.62 keV band in an earlier (2003 April 14–15) Chandra ACIS observation of Saturn. Fluorescent scattering of solar X-rays from oxygen atoms in the H2O icy ring material is the likely source mechanism for ring X-rays, consistent with the scenario of the solar photoproduction of a tenuous oxygen atmosphere and ionosphere over the rings recently discovered by Cassini.