River Murray International
Dark Sky Reserve Tours

A WARNING: BECAUSE OF THE ALIGNMENT OF SATURN TO THE EARTH,
THE RINGS WILL NOT BE VISIBLE FOR MOST OF 2024 AND 2025,
SO BOOK NOW FOR BETWEEN NOW AND MID DECEMBER.

BOOK NOW

Saturn is the sixth planet
from the Sun in our solar
system and is known for its
striking ring system.

Size & Appearance
Saturn is the second-largest planet in our solar system, after Jupiter.
It is roughly 9.5 times the diameter of Earth.
Saturn is easily recognisable due to its prominent ring system, which gives it a distinct and beautiful appearance.
Its average distance from the Sun is 1,500,000,000 kms.

Composition
Saturn is a gas giant composed mostly of hydrogen and helium, similar to Jupiter.
It has a relatively small rocky core at its centre, surrounded by dense layers of metallic hydrogen.
The outermost layer consists of molecular hydrogen and traces of other elements.

Moons
Saturn has an extensive moon system, with over 145 known moons to date.
The largest moon, Titan, is the second-largest moon in the solar system and has a dense atmosphere.
Other notable moons include Enceladus, which has intriguing geysers of water vapour erupting from its surface, and Iapetus, known for its distinct two-toned appearance.

Atmosphere
Saturn's atmosphere is characterised by bands of clouds and powerful storms.
It features strong winds, with the fastest reaching speeds of over 1,800 kilometres per hour.
The planet's atmosphere also exhibits a hexagonal jet stream pattern at is north pole, known as Saturn's hexagon.

Exploration
Saturn has been the subject of several space missions The Cassini-Huygens mission, a joint endeavour by NASA, ESA and the Italian Space Agency, spent over a decade studying Saturn, its rings and moons before concluding in 2017.
The mission provided valuable insights into the planet's atmosphere, ring dynamics, and moon exploration.
Saturn's distinctive features, including its mesmerizing rings and diverse moon systems, make it a captivating and scientifically intriguing planet in our solar system.

Saturn's Rings

Saturn's rings are one of the most iconic features of the planet and are among the most recognisable structures in our solar system. They consist of countless individual ringlets made up of chunks of ice and rock, ranging in size from tiny grains to large boulders. These rings orbit around Saturn and are held in place by the planet's gravity.

Composition
Saturn's rings are primarily composed of water ice particles, along with smaller amounts of rocky material. The exact composition of the rings is still a subject of study, but scientists believe that the ice particles may also contain traces of organic compounds.

Formation
The origin of Saturn's rings is not entirely clear, but there are two main hypotheses. One theory suggests that the rings formed from material left over from the formation of Saturn and its moons. Another theory proposes that a moon or comet was disrupted by tidal forces when it ventured too close to Saturn, resulting in the formation of the rings.

Structure
Saturn's rings are divided into several major ring groups, with gaps called divisions in between. The main divisions are labelled using letters of the alphabet, starting with the innermost division called the D ring and progressing outward through the C, B and A rings. The outermost prominent ring is known as the F ring.

Ringlets & Gaps
Within the major divisions, there are countless individual ringlets and gaps. Some of the prominent gaps in Saturn's rings have been named after astronomers who made significant contributions to our understanding of the planet and its rings. For example, the Cassini Division is a prominent gap between the A and B rings.

Size
The rings of Saturn are remarkably large. They extend outward from the planet's equator for about 273,000 kilometres, but their thickness is relatively small, on average about 100 metres.

Shepherd Moons
Saturn's rings are influenced by the gravitational interactions with its many moons. Some small moons, known as shepherd moons, help shape the rings by interacting with the particles and maintaining the ring's structure.

Ring Dynamics
The particles in Saturn's rings are in constant motion. They orbit around Saturn at different speeds depending on their distance from the planet, causing complex interactions and creating intricate patterns within the rings.