Saturn

Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second-largest in the Solar System, after Jupiter. It is a gas giant with an average radius about nine times that of Earth. It has a prominent system of rings, which makes it one of the most visually striking planets in our solar system.

Physical Characteristics

Saturn is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium. It has a dense atmosphere that gives it a yellowish color. The planet has a well-defined oblate spheroid shape, with a prominent equatorial bulge caused by its rapid rotation.

Rings of Saturn

Saturn's rings are made of countless small particles, ranging in size from micrometers to meters, that orbit the planet. These particles are made mostly of water ice, with some contamination from rocky material and other trace elements.

Moons

Saturn has a large number of moons, with 82 confirmed moons and an additional 29 provisional moons awaiting confirmation. The largest of Saturn's moons is Titan, which is larger than the planet Mercury and is the only moon in the solar system with a dense atmosphere.

Exploration

Saturn has been visited by spacecraft from Earth, including the Pioneer and Voyager missions, which provided the first close-up images of the planet and its moons. The Cassini-Huygens mission, a collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Italian Space Agency, provided detailed information about Saturn and its moons during its 13-year mission from 2004 to 2017.

Study Guide

1. What is the position of Saturn in the Solar System?
2. What are the primary components of Saturn's atmosphere?
3. Describe the composition of Saturn's rings.
4. How many moons does Saturn have?
5. Which spacecraft missions have explored Saturn?

[Saturn] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Our Solar SystemEarth Science • High School