Saturn

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Saturn symbol (bold)

Saturn during Equinox

Saturn symbol (fixed width)

Saturn symbol (late classical and medieval mss)

Saturn diagram

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Saturn Storm

Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second-largest in the Solar System, after Jupiter. Named after the Roman god of agriculture, it is a gas giant with an average radius about nine times that of Earth. Although it has only one-eighth the average density of Earth, with its larger volume, Saturn is just over 95 times more massive.

Physical Characteristics

Saturn is a gas giant composed predominantly of hydrogen and helium. The outer atmosphere is visually marked by several features, including the planet's prominent ring system, which is composed mainly of ice particles with a smaller amount of rocky debris and dust. It has a pale yellow hue due to ammonia crystals in its upper atmosphere. Atmospheric motion on Saturn is significantly influenced by the planet's rapid rotation, which tends to flatten the planet slightly at the poles while causing it to bulge at the equator.

Internal Structure

Saturn's core is believed to be composed of iron-nickel and rock (silicon and oxygen compounds). This core is surrounded by a deep layer of metallic hydrogen, an intermediate layer of liquid hydrogen and liquid helium, and an outer gaseous layer. The planet's interior is hot (12,000 K at the core) and experiences high pressure, which allows for the metallic hydrogen state.

Magnetic Field

Saturn has a planetary magnetic field that is slightly weaker than Earth's magnetic field but has a magnetic moment 580 times that of Earth due to its larger size. Saturn's magnetic poles are almost aligned with its rotational axis, which is unusual in the Solar System.

Rings

Saturn's rings are the most extensive ring system of any planet in the Solar System. They are made up of countless small particles, ranging in size from micrometres to metres, that orbit about Saturn. The particles are made almost entirely of water ice, with a trace component of rocky material. The rings have numerous gaps where particle density is reduced. The origin of the rings is subject to much debate among scientists, but they are thought to be remnants of destroyed moons, comets, or asteroids.

Moons

Saturn has 82 known moons, including Titan, the second-largest moon in the Solar System, which is larger than the planet Mercury and is the only moon in the Solar System to have a substantial atmosphere.

Exploration

Saturn has been visited by several spacecraft, including Pioneer 11, Voyager 1, Voyager 2, and the Cassini-Huygens mission, which orbited the planet from 2004 to 2017. These missions have provided a wealth of data about the planet, its rings, and its moons.

Observation

Saturn is visible to the naked eye, but a telescope is required to observe its rings. The planet has been observed since ancient times, and its astronomical symbol (♄) represents the god Saturn's sickle.

In Culture

Saturn has had a significant impact on various cultures throughout human history, often symbolizing time, fate, and wealth. In astrology, Saturn is associated with restriction and limitation but also with structure and discipline.