Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Saturn: the 6th planet of the solar system

Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest planet in the Solar System, after Jupiter. Roman god of agriculture, its astronomical symbol () represents the god's sickle. Saturn is a gas giant with an average radius about nine times that of Earth.[10][11] While only one-eighth the average density of Earth, with its larger volume Saturn is just over 95 times more massive.[12][13][14]
Named after the
Saturn's interior is probably composed of a core of iron, nickel and rock (silicon and oxygen compounds), surrounded by a deep layer of metallic hydrogen, an intermediate layer of liquid hydrogen and liquid helium and an outer gaseous layer.[15] The planet exhibits a pale yellow hue due to ammonia crystals in its upper atmosphere. Electrical current within the metallic hydrogen layer is thought to give rise to Saturn's planetary magnetic field, which is weaker than Earth's magnetic field but has a magnetic moment 580 times that of the Earth due to Saturn's larger body radius. Saturn's magnetic field strength is around one-twentieth the strength of Jupiter's.[16] The outer atmosphere is generally bland and lacking in contrast, although long-lived features can appear. Wind speeds on Saturn can reach 1,800 km/h (500 m/s), faster than on Jupiter, but not as fast as those on Neptune.[17]
Saturn has a prominent ring system that consists of nine continuous main rings and three discontinuous arcs, composed mostly of ice particles with a smaller amount of rocky debris and dust. Sixty-two[18] known moons orbit the planet; fifty-three are officially named. This does not include the hundreds of "moonlets" comprising the rings. Titan, Saturn's largest and the Solar System's second largest moon, is larger than the planet Mercury and is the only moon in the Solar System to retain a substantial atmosphere.



1 comment:

  1. This blog provides an interesting and informative overview of Saturn, the sixth planet in our solar system. I really enjoyed learning more about its beautiful rings, massive size, and unique characteristics that make it one of the most fascinating planets in space. The article explains scientific facts in a simple and engaging way, making it easy for readers of all ages to understand and enjoy. I also liked how the content sparks curiosity about astronomy and the mysteries of the universe. Space-related topics are always exciting, and this blog does a great job presenting them clearly. Thanks for sharing such educational and captivating information about the amazing planet Saturn!

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