What is a shepherd satellite and how do they behave?
a. A shepherd satellite is a small satellite that orbits closely around a larger object, such as a planet or a moon, and helps to maintain the stability of the larger object's ring system by counteracting gravitational forces.
b. A shepherd satellite behaves by exerting gravitational forces on the particles within the ring system, causing them to stay within a narrow band and preventing them from spreading out or collapsing into the larger object.
c. Shepherd satellites can also create gaps or divisions within a ring system by pulling or pushing particles away from certain areas, shaping the overall structure of the rings.
d. Some shepherd satellites can also interact with neighboring moons or satellites, affecting their orbits and sometimes leading to collisions or changes in their positions.