It has a rocky core that is about 25 times the size of Earth. Some of Saturns outer moons are grouped into clumps.. Intense Pressure This planet is known as being a "gas giant". Saturn has been visited by several probes. Saturns moon Atlas also looks like a flying saucer. According to NASA, Saturns iconic rings are slowly disappearing. The planet has the second-shortest day in the solar system, at only 10.7 hours, just slightly longer than Jupiters 9.93-hour day. In 1675, Italian-born astronomer Jean-Dominique Cassini discovered a "division" between what are now called the A and B rings. 2. Saturns density is surprisingly low, just 687 kg/m3, which is less than that of water! 40 Interesting Facts About Saturn - Top Facts Due to Saturns predominantly gaseous composition, the speed of sound on Saturn is significantly slower than on Earth. Here are more fun and fascinating facts about the planetSaturn! 1. Another interesting fact is that Saturn is 13,000 km (8,000 miles) wider in the equator than between the poles. The various colors seen in Saturns rings correspond to differences in composition. The most famous of these is the Cassini Division. Saturn has auroras, similar to Earths northern and southern lights. 83. This tiny moon orbits just outside Saturns A ring. The amazing and mysterious planet Saturn got its name after the Roman God, who was in charge of agriculture. Johannes Kepler while translating Galileos conclusions about Saturn made mistakes and decided that he had discovered two moons of Mars, instead of the rings of Saturn. These trojan moons always remain 60 degrees ahead of or behind their larger companions. Top 10 Facts about Saturn - the UK's children's radio station 50 Interesting Facts about Saturn | FactRetriever.com Saturn is the second-largest planet in the solar system. Saturn has a stunning number of moons. Saturn has its own core, which consists of iron, ice and nickel. Saturn is a gas-giant planet and therefore does not have a solid surface like Earths. 40 Interesting and Fun Facts About Saturn by Fact Toss Saturn is the second largest planet in our Solar System after Jupiter Saturn is 74,898 miles (120,537 km.) Saturn by the Numbers. 75. 99. 83. Bill Dunford The mechanism behind these emissions is still not fully understood, but its thought to be related to Saturns auroras. Approximately every 30 Earth years, a colossal storm known as the Great White Spot appears on Saturn. Titan is even larger than the planet Mercury. Some astronomers suggest that there is life on one of the moons of the planet, which is called Enceladus. 4. 78. 5. Core's temperature: Saturn's core is as hot as the Sun. Saturns rings could be remnants of destroyed moons. It is interesting that the word Saturn in English has the same root with the word Saturday. Saturn's largest satellite, Titan, is a bit bigger than the planet. 4. 76. Should we get lobsters high before eating them? Saturn has the fastest winds in the solar system. The first cosmic velocity of the planet is 35.5 km / s (22 mps). And in the 2014 movie "Interstellar," the wormhole that enables the astronauts to travel to another galaxy appears near Saturn. The rings are named for the order in which they were discovered, with the main rings being the A, B, and C rings, while the D, E, F, and G rings are fainter and more recently discovered. 90. 10 Interesting Facts about Saturn. Saturn is the sixth planet from our Sun (a star) and orbits at a distance of about 886 million miles (1.4 billion kilometers) from the Sun. Saturn is the second largest planet in the solar system, after Jupiter. 56. For instance, Mimas, a little world with a big crater that makes it looks kind of like the Death Star from the Star Wars series might also have a body of liquid water trapped beneath its outer ice. Iapetus, another of Saturns moons, is unique in having one side as bright as snow and the other as dark as coal. But why? 44. 81. Structure and Composition. Saturns satellites mostly consist of ice. 69. Enceladus, one of Saturns larger moons, has intrigued scientists because of its subsurface ocean, which shoots plumes of water vapor into space. Saturn is visible from Earth with the naked eye. The ringed planets meandering is predictable andsimple. All rights reserved, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Therefore, equatorial radius of the planet is 60,268 km (37,449 miles). 53. The winds on Saturn are incredibly fast. The rings of Saturn are named alphabetically in the order of their discovery. 70. However, all scientists and astronomers have agreed that only the rings of Saturn are unusual. 10 Things: Why Cassini Mattered. Saturn has a thick atmosphere made of gas and clouds. These disturbances are known as wakes and add an intriguing dynamic to the structure of the rings. Despite being much larger than Earth, Saturns magnetic field is weaker. A pressure cooker: atmospheric pressure on Saturn is 100 times than that on the Earth. The density of Saturn is less than water. Saturn: 6 essential facts about the second-largest planet in the solar March 17, 2022 // Alan The planet Saturn has intrigued astronomers for centuries. Its iconic rings are one of the most recognisable features in the night sky. Saturns other moons hold surprises. 100. Saturn Facts for Kids | Interesting, Fun, Information & History They are made . 42. Saturn's Neighbors 86. The Strange Story of Albert Einsteins Brain After Death & The Key Findings, Meet Shakuntala Devi: The Human Computer of the World, 15 Amazing Facts About Point Nemo: Most Remote Place on Earth, Scaphism (Boats): Horrific Ancient Persian Torture Explained, 33 Amazing Surreal Places on Earth. Saturn, the sixth planet from the sun, has many interesting and unique features. The second-largest planet in our solar system, this celestial giant has secrets that can truly make your jaw drop. 2. This ring extends from 6 to 12 million kilometers from Saturn, making it one of the largest planetary rings in our solar system. Titan, the largest of these moons, is bigger than the planet Mercury! Bolts of lightning thought to be 10,000 times more powerful than those on Earth can be seen on Saturn, and NASAs Cassini spacecraft spotted a storm that affected the planets weather patterns for more than three years, according to ESA. Saturn is the flattest planet. Scientists have not found out when its rings started their formation. These Gettysburg maps reveal how Lee lost the fight, Who is Oppenheimer? Saturn Can Float in Water If you can find a body of water big enough, Saturn would float in it! 47. With a diameter nine times that of Earth, you could fit 764 Earths inside Saturn. Saturn is considered the lowest density planet in the entire solar system. It has a lot of helium. It took amazing photos of seas, river channels and mountains as it descended. It appears as a bright, yellowish point of light whose brightness is similar to the brightest stars. Saturn is not a place youd want to fly a kite. 40 Interesting Facts About Saturn The gas planet Saturn attracts the attention of many astronomers because of its rings. With its resplendent ring system, Saturn is arguably the most stunning planet in our solar system. Facts about Saturn Saturn is the most distant planet that can be seen with the naked eye. 78. Saturn is mostly gas and the least dense of all the planets. This is due to its low density and irregular shape, causing it to tumble unpredictably as it orbits Saturn. If you encounter poor seeing, wait for a night when stars arent twinkling and planetary images arerock-steady. The ultimate origins of Saturns name and mythology are mysterious, as the character has been associated with a number of ancient cultures. Saturn was discovered by Galileo Galilei on March 13, 1610, using a telescope. Greetings motherfactors! The Huygens probe landed on Titan in 2005, becoming the first robot to reach the surface of a moon in the outer solar system. 66. Saturn Information and Facts | National Geographic A round-up of information about the ringed planet Saturn with many moons. 8. Discovering time-honored traditions in Texas, Video Story, Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Four robotic probes have visited Saturn, according to NASA. In the Japanese cartoon Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon , the planet Saturn personifies a female warrior of death and rebirth. 11. The two probes discovered three new moons, studied the intricate ring system in detail, and collected data about the planets magnetic field and atmosphere. Thanks to the global ocean beneath its icy surface and the presence of organic molecules, Enceladus is considered one of the most promising places to look for life beyond Earth in our solar system. 14. These bug repellents actually workif you use them correctly, People with ADHD struggle to stay afloat amid drug shortage, A supersonic jet chased a solar eclipse across Africafor science. See the Saturn journey and photos from NASA. Saturns rings have gaps, known as divisions. Heres why. The size of the polar radius on the planet Saturn is about 54,364 km (33,780 miles). One day on the planet only takes about 10 hours. Saturns moon Daphnis creates waves in the rings. Saturn takes about 29.5 Earth years to complete one orbit around the Sun. Stargazers believe that more than 40% of the satellites of the solar system rotate exactly around this planet. However, if there were such a planet, Saturn's solid core would probably sink while the rest of its atmosphere floated or drifted away. Time on Saturn One day on Saturn goes by in just 10.7 hours. 18. Saturn was known as Kronos in Greek and Sani in Sanskrit, according to the educational website The Nine Planets. This view is constructed from 42 of those wide-angle shots, taken using the red, green and blue spectral filters, combined and mosaicked together to create a natural-color view. One of these is neon. Here are 100 interesting facts about Saturn. 8. Space ships have been on Saturn only 4 times. Saturn and Titan Resources. He lives in Oakland, California, where he enjoys riding his bike. 96. 10 Interesting Saturn Planet Facts & Information for Kids 92. Hold on to your hat! Its outer layer is composed mainly of molecular hydrogen, with trace amounts of helium and methane. Saturn is recognized as the most beautiful planet of the Solar System. The unattached rings of Saturn are composed of billions of pieces of ice, dust, and rock ranging in size from as tiny as a grain of salt to as big as ahouse. Saturn is occasionally visible without a telescope. Like fellow gas giant Jupiter, Saturn is a massive ball made mostly of hydrogen and helium. Despite its massive size, Saturns overall density is less than that of water. Saturns moon Enceladus is one of the brightest objects in our solar system. When it comes to spinning, Saturn is a speedy planet. Made primarily of ice particles with a smaller amount of rocky debris and dust, Saturns rings are the most extensive ring system of any planet in our Solar System. Helene is located at one of Diones stable Lagrange points, where the gravitational forces of Saturn and Dione balance the orbit of the smaller moon. She is, 100 Facts About Saturn: Fascinating Mysteries of the Ringed Planet. Due to gravitational attraction, it is possible that Saturn rejected Uranus and Neptune. , Uranus, and Neptune also have rings, although they are much . Few missions have visited Saturn: Pioneer 11 and Voyagers 1 and 2 flew by; But Cassini orbited Saturn 294 times from 2004 to 2017. See stunning NASA images of the gas giant studied by Christian Huygens and Giovanni Cassini. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/NatGeoSubscribeAbout National Geographic:National Geographic is the world's premium destination for science, exploration, and adventure. Saturn is the complete opposite of our planet. At Thanksgiving gatherings, food is shared, leftovers are coveted, and different people have different specialties. About two tons of Saturns mass came from Earththe Cassini spacecraft was intentionally vaporized in Saturns atmosphere in 2017. As of my last knowledge update in 2021, Saturn has 82 known moons the highest number of any planet in the solar system. Galileo never did realize that Saturn had full rings. Despite this extreme cold, Saturn emits more heat than it absorbs from the Sun due to an internal process known as Kelvin-Helmholtz mechanism. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I have compiled 50 lesser-known facts, The Vikings have always been known for their fierce warriors and skilled sailors, but their culinary habits have, Viking longships have captured the imagination of people worldwide for centuries. 34. Saturn is the sixth planet from the sun and the second-largest planet in the solar system. He has a bachelor's degree in astrophysics from UC Berkeley. Saturn is recognized as the lightest planet in the entire Solar System. This sludge forms a yellowish haze sitting at a frigid minus 290 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 180 degrees Celsius), below which can be found incredible geological features such as lakes, seas and rivers of liquid methane and ethane. Visit NASA Space Place for more kid-friendly facts. They can be as small as a grain of sugar or as large as a mountain. The G Ring is thought to be maintained by a small moon named Aegaeon that resides within it. I don't know if I'll get a shot or the bugs will get me.. but I want to try to get something :-), 2023Yankee Publishing, Inc., An Employee-Owned Company Despite the extreme cold on its surface, Saturns core is believed to be incredibly hot, reaching temperatures as high as 21,000 degrees Fahrenheit (11,700 degrees Celsius). In contrast to its short day, a year on Saturn is very long because of its large orbital path and slow speed. 9. Science Writers: Its not known who first discovered Saturn, but its presence in ancient cultures globally demonstrates our ancestors fascination with the night sky. Unlike Earth, Saturns rings often experience meteor showers. Though Saturn is famous for its rings, all the other giant planets, including Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune, feature ring systems. Launched in 1997 and reaching Saturn in 2004, the Cassini mission transformed our understanding of the ringed planet. Saturns moon Hyperion tumbles chaotically in its orbit. At the north pole of Saturn, there are strange clouds that resemble a black vortex. On Saturn, there are seasons (as well as on the planet Earth). Fascinating Facts About Saturn - The Old Farmer's Almanac Scientists believe these rings may have been formed from the debris of a destroyed moon or comet. Scientific studies suggest that Dione, another of Saturns many moons, may harbor a subsurface ocean of liquid water, furthering the search for potential extraterrestrial life within our own solar system. Every 14-15 years you can see the edges of the rings of Saturn due to the inclination of the orbit. Here's how to prepare. If you like to watch the skies at night, you should check out these facts about one of the planets out there, the planet we call Saturn. To most of us, dust is an annoyance. 85. 22. Meanwhile, scientists named the rings of the planet in alphabetical order, and in the order in which they were discovered. Saturn isnt the only planet to have rings, but it definitely has the most beautiful ones. The fact is that you can see only the edges of the rings that are hard to notice when they are inclined. 74. Then we move on, whirl around the Sun once more, and again approachSaturn. Through their world-class scientists, photographers, journalists, and filmmakers, Nat Geo gets you closer to the stories that matter and past the edge of what's possible.Get More National Geographic:Official Site: http://bit.ly/NatGeoOfficialSiteFacebook: http://bit.ly/FBNatGeoTwitter: http://bit.ly/NatGeoTwitterInstagram: http://bit.ly/NatGeoInstaRead more in \"Saturn\"https://on.natgeo.com/2FIaP4ySaturn 101 | National Geographic https://youtu.be/epZdZaEQhS0National Geographichttps://www.youtube.com/natgeo A season on Saturn lasts more than 7 years. 1. For example, if the Earths mass is 80 kg (13 st), then on Saturn it will reach 72.8 kg (11 st). The rings of Saturn are labelled alphabetically, from A to G, based on their order of discovery. Held on the 17th of December (in the Julian calendar), Saturnalia featured gift-giving and ample festivities. This means that if there were an ocean big enough, Saturn would float! The closest neighbor of Saturn is Jupiter. Some astrobiologists think Enceladus ocean has been around for just long enough, roughly 1 billion years, for chemicals to get dissolved and kickstart the processes that fuel life. The rings we see are made of groups of tiny ringlets that surround Saturn. 29. 54. Each year, as Earth revolves around the Sun, we spend a month or two close to Saturnalways at a time when the three bodies form a straight line, with our world sandwiched in the middle, in a configuration calledopposition. The thickness of Saturns rings is surprisingly small. Saturn is the 6th planet from Sun and is made mostly of gases. A day on Saturn goes by very fast. 79. But yes, Saturn is so light for its size that if you could find a bathtub big enough, it would float in water. 95. Adorned with thousands of beautiful ringlets, Saturn is unique among the planets. Adorned with thousands of beautiful ringlets, Saturn is unique among the planets. 17. Hydrogen and helium are the main constituent elements of this interesting planet. It has a day of just 10.7 hours, making it one of the quickest spinning planets in our solar system. Saturns axial tilt is nearly the same as Earths. 48. In a unique meteorological event, Saturns north pole is home to a persisting hexagonal cloud pattern. Cassini remained in orbit around Saturn until Sept. 15, 2017, making a total of 294 orbits and then plunging into the planets atmosphere, according to the Planetary Society. Saturn is so far out in the solar system it takes 29.4 Earth years to make one trip around the Sun, which means that Saturn will go around the Sun only a few times in any human's lifetime. Saturn is the second-largest planet in the Solar System. Overview In Depth By the Numbers Exploration Galleries On this page Ten Things to Know About Neptune Pop Culture Kid-Friendly Neptune Read More Dark, cold, and whipped by supersonic winds, ice giant Neptune is the eighth and most distant planet in our solar system. Ten Things to Know About Uranus Pop Culture Read More Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun, and has the third-largest diameter in our solar system. 91. 24. Despite this variation, the rings themselves are extremely thin, averaging only about 30 feet (9 meters) in thickness. If youre into moon gazing, Saturn is the planet for you. 49. A new study finally reveals higher-frequency X-rays and explains why they eluded another mission 30 years ago. First spotted by the Voyager spacecraft and later studied by Cassini, this hexagonal storm measures about 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometers) across with winds reaching speeds of 200 miles per hour (322 kilometers per hour). Furthermore, if you put Saturn down in water, it can float in it, because its density is 2 times lower than the density of water. Here are 100 facts about Saturn! Fly all around the Saturnian system and its amazing moons with this interactive website from NASA. 12. Saturn: Five things we've learnt in the last five years - BBC Saturns moon Enceladus is one of the brightest objects in our solar system. 46. It has a lot of helium. Saturn cannot support life as we know it, but some of Saturn's moons have conditions that might support life. It studied Saturns structure, its moons, especially Titan and Enceladus, and its rings, providing insights that astounded the scientific community. Are electric bikes the future of green transportation? Unlike the polar vortices on Earth, the polar vortex on Saturns south pole is warm rather than cold. Adam Mann is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience, specializing in astronomy and physics stories. 75. 42. Remote sleeps: Canada's best wilderness lodges, The destination drawing art lovers to Luxembourgs forests, Explore the world like Indiana Jones at these 11 destinations, Colossal gravitational waves found for the first time. At the same time, on Earth, we see only bright sides. Our solar system was formed 5,000 million years ago. Fascinating World of Finger Monkeys (Marmoset): Facts And Insights, Five Nights At Freddys Full Trailer: Unveils the Animatronic Nightmare Movie Release and Insights, Story of Scott Davidson: Pete Davidsons Father & 9/11 Heroic Firefighter, Who are Blue People of Kentucky? When the seasons change, the planet changes its color. Theyre made of chunks of ice and rock. When you gaze up into the night sky, Saturn is one of the most intriguing planets you can observe.