How thick are the main rings?
Based on stellar occultation measurements of ring edges, it is looking like the main rings (A, B and C) are on the order of 10 meters (33 feet) thick, or less. One exception are the bending waves, created by Mimas, whose orbit is slightly inclined with respect to the rings. Bending waves are vertical waves, and their height might reach 1 kilometer (.6 miles) or so above and below the rings. However, seen edge-on, Cassini would be primarily seeing the F ring, not the main rings. The F ring has a slight inclination, and it can give an apparent thickness that is much different from the thickness of the main rings.
