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. Saturn is known for its prominent ring system, which is made up of ice particles and dust. It has 82 moons, with the largest being Titan.
Physical Characteristics
- Size: Saturn has a diameter of about 74,900 miles (120,500 kilometers), making it the second-largest planet in the solar system.
- Atmosphere: Its atmosphere is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, with traces of other elements.
- Rings: Saturn's ring system consists of seven main rings and several fainter rings. These rings are made up of ice particles and rocky debris.
- Moons: Saturn has 82 known moons, with the largest being Titan. Other notable moons include Enceladus, Rhea, and Mimas.
Exploration
Several space probes have visited Saturn, providing detailed information about the planet and its moons. The Cassini-Huygens mission, a collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Italian Space Agency, provided extensive data and images of Saturn and its moons during its mission from 2004 to 2017.
Study Guide
- What is the average radius of Saturn?
- Describe Saturn's ring system.
- How many moons does Saturn have, and which one is the largest?
- What are the primary elements in Saturn's atmosphere?
- What was the name of the space probe that extensively studied Saturn and its moons from 2004 to 2017?
After studying this guide, you should have a good understanding of Saturn's physical characteristics and its exploration by space probes.
