What makes Saturn’s rings so special? 7 awe-inspiring pics
Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun, and it’s best known for its stunning ring system, which makes it one of the most recognisable planets in the solar system.
Photo Credit: NASA
Saturn’s rings are made mostly of ice particles, with a mix of dust and rocks. These particles range in size from tiny grains to large chunks.
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The rings are massive, stretching over a vast distance in width, but they are very thin, only about 10 metres thick on average.
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Saturn has seven main rings, labelled A to G. Each ring is made up of thousands of smaller ringlets.
Photo Credit: NASA
NASA scientists believe Saturn’s rings are likely made from remnants of moons, asteroids, or comets that were torn apart by Saturn’s gravity.
Photo Credit: NASA
The rings reflect sunlight very well because they are made of water ice, which makes them shine brightly in the night sky.
Photo Credit: NASA
Other gas giants like Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune have rings, but none are as large or as visible as Saturn’s rings.
Photo Credit: NASA
Saturn’s rings have gaps, such as the Cassini Division, which is a wide gap between two of the main rings.
Photo Credit: NASA
Saturn’s gravity, along with the gravitational pull of its moons, helps keep the rings stable and in place around the planet.
Photo Credit: NASA
With a small telescope, you can see Saturn’s rings from Earth, especially when the planet is at its closest point in its orbit.
Photo Credit: NASA
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