Amazing and Unknown Facts about Saturn
In the solar system, planet saturn lies in sixth place from the sun and is the second-largest planet after Jupiter.
The saturn planet is a gas giant with a 9 ½ times bigger radius than Earth.
Moreover, there is another interesting fact about saturn: though it is bigger in radius from Earth, its density is only 1/8 the average of Earth.
The name Saturn was derived from the Roman god of agriculture and wealth.
One of the most amazing facts about saturn is its symbol and ring.
The astronomical symbol of this planet represents the sickle of God.
There are several astonishing facts about Saturn, and do you think you know it all? A day in a week is also named after Saturn that is “Saturday.”
The planet saturn composes a core that contains nickel, rock, iron.
For rocks, it has silicon and compounds of oxygen.
Saturn’s core is covered by layers of metallic hydrogen and liquid helium.
After this layer, there is a thick layer of numerous gases.
Saturn gets its colour pale yellow hue from the ammonia crystals that lie in the upper atmosphere.
In this article, you will have all the fantastic facts about Saturn that will surely take a back.
Fun Facts about Saturn
1. Rings
One of the most exciting pieces of information about saturn that it is the only planet in the solar system that has a ring on its outer atmosphere.
There are no planets with such rings, and that is what makes Saturn unique and special.
Astronomers and experts think that the saturn rings may be old or even new.
They believe that Saturn has its ring from the beginning of the solar system around 4.55 billion years ago.
There are ongoing studies and research on the age of Saturn’s rings.
Some facts show the possibilities of creating rings due to the tearing of a 300 km ice moon due to its gravitational pull.
But after the study of images of rings, astronomers state that the materials in the ring are too clean and clear to be old.
2. 62 Moons
There are questions like approximately how many moons does saturn have.
From all the fun facts about saturn, this is the most exciting feature of this planet.
Saturn has 62 moons revolving around it, and it is just after Jupiter with 67 moons.
Just as Earth has 1 moon visible from the surface, you can notice 62 moons in the sky from the surface of Saturn.
Titan is the second-largest moon in the solar system, and Saturn has moons close to its size.
A few years back, NASA’s Cassini orbiter discovered a new moon of Saturn, and there are also chances of discovery.
3. Astronomer Mistook the Rings as Moons
Galileo was the first person to see the Saturn rings with the help of a rudimentary telescope in 1610.
He saw the rings but did not know what they were.
The astronomer thought that those were moons, which are attached to either side of the planet.
You can acknowledge this fact in detail from all about saturn.com.
4. Least Dense
There are tons of unique features of Saturn, and another is that Saturn is the least dense planet in the solar system.
The density of Saturn is 0.688 grams/cubic centimeter.
The density is so less that it is compared with the 1 gm/cm3 .
Though Saturn has a larger diameter than the Earth (9 ½ Earth to be exact), its density is lesser than water.
Astronomers say that if anyone can build a pool of its size, the entire planet will float on the water.
5. Flattened Ball
The planet saturn is similar to an oblate spheroid when it spins on its axis.
Astronomers explain this is due to the planet's high rotational speed that it squeezes in its shape.
Due to high rotational speed, the entire planet gets squeezed from the top, and its equatorial region bulges out.
There are also questions on this feature, and some astronomers are at loggerhead for this reason.
Some say that as Saturn is a giant ball of gas, even a less rotational speed can be the reason for this shape.
Do you know who discovered saturn? Yes, it's Galileo in 1610.
Therefore, here are some crucial features of Saturn that you might know and also may be new.
There is still research by astronomers from different nations and head bodies of Astro-science on Saturn.
If there are discoveries regarding Saturn, they will be sincerely posted.