Saturns

In these detailed infrared images of Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus, reddish areas indicate fresh ice that has been deposited on the surface. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona/LPG/CNRS/University of Nantes/Space Science Institute. The subsurface ocean of <span class="glossaryLink" aria-describedby="tt" data-cmtooltip="<div class=glossaryItemTitle>Saturn</div><div class=glossaryItemBody>Saturn is the sixth planet from the sun and has the second-largest mass in the…

The search for alien life just got more interesting as a team of scientists recently discovered new evidence suggesting that Saturn's moon Enceladus has oceans that have all the basic requirements and materials needed for life to survive. According to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), researchers believe that the ocean of Enceladus is filled with dissolved phosphorus, which is an essential ingredient for life. "Enceladus is one of the prime targets in humanity's search…

Scientists propose a lost moon of Saturn, which they call Chrysalis, pulled on the planet until it ripped apart, forming rings and contributing to Saturn’s tilt. This natural color view of Saturn was created by combining six images captured by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft on May 6, 2012. It features Saturn’s huge moon Titan, which is larger than the planet Mercury. Below Titan are the shadows cast by Saturn’s rings. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science InstituteSaturn’s Rings and Tilt Could Be the Product of an Ancient,…

Saturn is one of the most stunning planets in our Solar System. Its beautiful rings make it stand out from just about every other planet that calls our region of space home. This beauty, and those rings, have long seemed almost mystical to astronomers. And for many, those same rings have remained a mystery. But now, new research may have finally figured out the origin of Saturn’s rings: a long-lost moon. A missing moon Image source: Media Whale Stock / AdobeSo far, we’ve discovered 82 moons orbiting…

The rings of Saturn are lovely to look at but a colossal headache to explain. Now, planetary scientists have come up with a new theory about their origin. About 160 million years ago, they say, an icy moon was ripped apart when its orbit brought it too close to the planet. The lost moon, which they call Chrysalis, may also help explain the evolution of Saturn’s oddly tilted axis of rotation. Other researchers are intrigued, but not convinced. The finding “opens a new window…

Titan looks suspiciously like our own planet when you observe it. However, Saturn’s moon and our own Earth couldn’t be any more different. Where landscapes are made of silicate-based sediments on Earth, many believe Titan’s landscapes are made of solid organic compounds. As such, they should be much more fragile than Earth’s. A new study may have figured out how the landscapes on Titan came to be. Landscapes on Titan are more intricate than you might think Image source: Media Whale Stock / Adobe From space,…

A team of researchers led by Stanford University geologist Mathieu Lapotre has revealed the presence of landscapes on the surface of this Moon formed due to a global sand cycle driven by seasons. Titan is the largest moon on the Saturn system. It has rivers, lakes, and seas filled by rain coming through a thick atmosphere. However, these lakes are filled with different materials than one on Earth. Liquid methane streams streak Titan’s icy surface and nitrogen winds build…

An aurora is a beautiful display of natural lights in the sky, usually seen near the North and South Poles at night. Scientists have long believed that aurorae are created when the solar winds interact with the Earth's magnetic field — when streams of electrified particles emitted by the Sun are trapped in the magnetic field of the Earth. This is usually the case on other planets as well. But scientists from University of Leicester claim they have discovered that not all aurorae are created by this phenomenon. They say…

NASA has shared a stunning image of Saturn's moon Dione, which appears as a tiny ball compared to the ringed gas giant during a transit. The space agency said the image was captured from a distance of about 2.3 million kilometres, and probably that's why the moon appears even smaller than its actual size. Scientists say transits play a vital role in understanding the relationship between the planet and its moons. When the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, during transit, it leads to the solar eclipse.Giovanni…