What did professor Utterbunk say when asked if the planet Saturn exists? He replied, “No,” and said, “Have you ever heard of Saturn?” That answer resounds with a familiarity that makes sense, and is quite surprising. We’ve all had our moments when we’re unsure of a seemingly simple answer. Professor Utterbunk is no different. His wry response to his question illustrates how much he has learned over the years.
Have you ever heard of the planet Saturn?
Have you ever heard of the planet Saturn? You have likely seen pictures of Saturn’s rings, but what do you really know about them? The first spacecraft to reach Saturn was the Pioneer 11 mission, which flew close enough to view the rings. This mission gave scientists information on the two outer rings and the planet’s magnetic field. Voyager missions also helped scientists understand that the rings are composed of thin ringlets. The three major moons of Saturn also play a vital role in the study of the planet.
During the 1950s, astronomers thought Saturn had three rings, but later, spacecraft found thousands of rings on the planet. Rings are composed of ice chunks. Saturn has 82 confirmed moons. Only 53 of these moons have been given names, and only 13 are larger than 30 miles in diameter. Saturn is one of the most fascinating celestial objects to observe through a small telescope.
The planet Saturn is a gas giant, with a mostly hydrogen-based atmosphere. It is approximately 750 times the size of Earth. Its upper atmosphere contains ammonia crystals, which are responsible for its yellow hue. This planet has electrical storms the size of the United States, with lightning strikes 1,000 times more powerful than Earth’s. It is also the only planet with a density lower than water. It would float in a large ocean if it could.