Saturn's rings are made up of countless small particles in orbit around the planet's equator. Observations from the Cassini mission revealed fine structure and changes in the rings over time. The Hubble Space Telescope captured images showing the changing orientation of the rings around Saturn's equator.
Saturn's Rings
Saturn's rings are one of the most fascinating features of the planet. They are made up of countless small particles, ranging from tiny grains of dust to larger chunks of ice and rock. These particles are all in orbit around Saturn's equator, forming beautiful and complex ring structures.
Observing Saturn's Rings
With a telescope, like the one you received from Grandma Dickerson, you can see Saturn's rings clearly. The Cassini mission, which observed Saturn for more than a decade, revealed a great deal of fine structure in the rings. This structure is caused by the presence of small moons and the waves they produce in the surrounding ring material.
Changing Rings
Over time, Saturn's rings change in appearance. The Hubble Space Telescope recorded images of Saturn between 1996 and 2000, showing that the orientation of the rings around the planet's equator changes as it moves along its orbit. Scientists are still studying these changes and the influence of Saturn's moons on the ring system.