anneguineapig

Saturn is the 5th planet from the sun. It is also one of the “gas giants”. Saturn is the second largest planet however it has a low density. It has 17 moons however this number may increase as not all the moons may have been found. The rings of Saturn are one of the most recognisable features of this planet. Saturn’s rings are not actually just one big ring, they are made from many little rings.

History of Saturn
Saturn is visible to the eye without the aid of a telescope. It was named by the romans after the god called Saturnus. The rings were first discovered by Galileo in 1610 however  at that time he thought they were moons. Saturn is made from a mix of different gases but mainly hydrogen. It may have a core made from rocks and ice.

Where did the rings come from and how are they formed?
There are two main theories on how the rings of Saturn are formed. One is that they were formed when Saturn formed. They were formed out of the left over water and ice in the solar nebula that created Saturn. However there is a problem with this theory. The ice in the rings does not look as though it is old as it is still clean.
The other theory is based on the knowledge that a moon passed close to Saturn. In this theory it is believed that the moon collided with Saturn or another moon. The moon shattered to create Saturn’s rings.

What are the rings of Saturn made of?
The rings of Saturn are very thin and lay around the middle of the planet. They are thin enough that objects can be seen through them. The rings are made from small bits of rock and ice that circle the planet.