Planet Saturn is part of the category of the gas giants of the solar system.It is the second largest after Jupiter has an enormous mass and dense fiber rings that surround it.Atmosphere of Saturn - a phenomenon which for many years has been a subject of controversy scientists.But today well established that it is the basis of all the gases air of the body, which has no solid surface.
History grand opening
a long time, scientists believed that our system is closed this huge planet and its orbit had nothing.It is engaged in the study of the distant 1610, after Galileo considered Saturn through a telescope, as well as identified in their records the presence of his rings.In those years, one could not have imagined that this celestial body is so different from Earth, Venus or Mars does not even have a surface composed entirely of gas, heated to unimaginable temperatures.The presence of Saturn's atmosphere was confirmed only in the twentieth century.Moreover, the only modern scientists were able to conclude that the planet - a gas balloon.She studied satellite "Voyager 1", which is able to release a probe into the outer layers of the atmosphere.Images were obtained that indicated the content is mainly composed of hydrogen clouds of Saturn and many other gases.Since then, research is conducted only on the basis of theories and calculations.And then it is fair to note that one of the most mysterious and unexplored planets up to this point it is Saturn.
presence of the atmosphere, its composition
We know that the terrestrial planets, which are in close proximity to the Sun, no atmosphere.But that solids which comprise rock and metal, have a certain mass and its corresponding parameters.With gas balloons things are very different.Atmosphere of Saturn - is the foundation of his own.Endless gas vapors, mists and clouds gathered in an incredible amount and form a spherical shape due to the magnetic field of the nucleus.The basis of the planet's atmosphere was hydrogen: its more than 96 percent.As impurities other gases are present, the proportions of which depend on the depth.It should be noted that the water crystals, various modifications of ice and other organic substances have on Saturn.
Two layers of atmosphere and composition
So, Saturn's atmosphere is divided into two parts: the outer layer and the inner.The first is at 96.3 percent of molecular hydrogen, 3 percent - of helium.To these gases admixed components such as phosphine, ammonia, methane and ethane.Here the case of strong surface wind speed reaches 500 m / s.As for the lower layer of the atmosphere, there prevails a metal hydrogen - about 91 percent, and helium.In this environment, there are clouds of ammonium hydrosulfide.The lower layer of the atmosphere is always heated to the limit.As we approach the core temperature reaches thousands of Kelvin, because until that explore the planet with probes produced on Earth is impossible.
Atmospheric phenomena
most common phenomena on this planet are the wind and hurricanes.Most streams are blowing from west to east of the axial rotation.In the area of the equator, a slight lull, and the distance from it there flows west.There Saturn and places with constant periodicity case of certain weather events.For example, there is a large white oval in the southern hemisphere time in thirty years.During such "bad weather" the atmosphere of Saturn, whose composition further contributes to this phenomenon, all is literally riddled with lightning.Discharge occurs mainly in the middle latitudes between the equator and the poles.Regarding the latter, then there is a major phenomenon is considered to be the aurora.Stronger outbreak occur in the north, as there is a magnetic field is stronger than in the south.Radiance comes out in the form of oval rings or spirals.
pressure and temperature
As it turned out, the atmosphere of the planet Saturn makes this quite cool compared to Jupiter, but of course, not as icy as Uranus and Neptune.The upper temperature is about -178 degrees Celsius at constant winds and hurricanes.The closer we move to the nucleus, the more pressure is mounting, therefore, rises and temperature.In the middle layers it is -88 degrees, and the pressure - about a thousand atmospheres.Extreme point, which reached the probe was in the temperature zone 3.According to calculations in the region of the planet's core pressure reaches 3 million atmospheres.The temperature is 11 700 ° C.
Afterword
Briefly we examined what in their structure of Saturn's atmosphere.The composition can be compared to Jupiter, there are also similarities to the ice giants - Uranus and Neptune.But, as every ball of gas, Saturn is unique in its structure.There are blowing very strong wind, the pressure reaches the incredible performance and the temperature stays cool while (in astronomical terms).
