Interesting facts about Saturn, its rings and satellites

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planet Saturn is the sixth in distance from the Sun in our solar system.Its orbit lies at 9.5 times farther from the sun than Earth.Very entertaining and interesting facts about Saturn associated with its famous rings.Similarly the origin and nature of education have been found by astronomers and other planets in our cosmic area: Neptune, Uranus, Jupiter.However, they are considerably inferior and massiveness, and the density and brightness of the rings of the sixth planet.However, the interesting facts about Saturn is not only associated with them.This world is full of many other mysterious phenomena.

Interesting facts about the planet Saturn

This celestial body is the third in size and mass in the solar system, second only to Jupiter and, of course, the sun.Interesting is the fact that this planet has the lowest density in the entire star system.The density of Saturn is 0.687 g / cc.This is lower than that of water.Saturn is not like a rocky body like our own Earth, Venus or Mars.Basically planet consists of hydrogen (which is the lightest natural element), as well as helium, methane and small impurities rock and ice, concentrated in the core of the planet.On its surface it is impossible to land.Therefore, scientists call it "gas giant".Some interesting facts about Saturn stem from its surprisingly rapid rotation.The planet spins so fast that it literally flattens itself at the poles.Because this cosmic body has significantly flattened shape.Another side effect of rotation is the presence here of the strongest winds in the solar system.Sometimes the speed reaches the monstrous figure of 1,800 km / h.

Interesting facts about Saturn and its rings

ring is a system of concentric planar structures consisting of dust and ice.Actually, the water ice - their main component.The size of these particles can range from tiny pebbles to boulders a few micrometers to a few meters.The width of these formations can reach thousands and tens of thousands of kilometers (the largest of them all three, but in fact there are many more).All the more surprising that the thickness of the rings varies literally within one kilometer.Some discs and all reach a thickness of 10-15 meters.The first scientist who observed these bodies near Saturn was Galileo Galilei.However, he was able to see them only on the sides of the planet and took them for satellites.The true nature of the phenomenon has opened a German Christian Huygens.By the way, in the scientific community there is a perception that such a ring about four billion years ago could have Earth.With the passage of time under the action of gravity, they gathered in one body, gradually forming our natural satellite, which today can be seen in the sky every night.

Interesting facts about Saturn and its moons

satellites have this huge planet are also available.And more than any other in the solar system.Today open 62 satellites of the planet.Some of them are surprising not less than the Saturn.For example, Entsellad, consisting almost entirely of ice and snow, has a very white surface albedo and the highest in the whole of our solar system.It reflects almost all incident light.The satellite Titan very curious scientist that its composition and the atmosphere can be potentially suitable for primitive life forms.The scientific community is seriously discussed the probability of finding it microorganisms.