Planet Saturn Basics Cheat Sheet

1. Overview of Saturn

• Position in Solar System: 6th planet from the Sun
• Distance from Sun: ~1.43 billion km (9.5 AU)
• Orbital Period: 29.5 Earth years
• Rotation Period: 10.7 hours (Fastest after Jupiter)
• Diameter: 120,536 km (9.5 times Earth’s size)
• Gravity: 10.4 m/s² (92% of Earth’s)
• Temperature:
  • Average: -138°C (-218°F)
• Moons: 146 (Confirmed, as of 2023)
• Atmosphere: Hydrogen (96%) and Helium (3%)

2. Key Characteristics

• Gas Giant: Primarily made of hydrogen and helium.
• Rings: Most extensive and visible ring system in the solar system.
• Density: Lowest of all planets (less dense than water – it would float!).
• Axial Tilt: 26.7° (Seasons similar to Earth but much longer).
• Wind Speeds: Can reach up to 1,800 km/h (1,100 mph) near the equator.

3. Rings of Saturn

• Composition: Ice, dust, and rock particles.
• Thickness: ~10 meters (33 feet) but spans over 280,000 km.
• Main Rings: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.
• Gap: Cassini Division – 4,800 km wide gap between A and B rings.

4. Orbital and Rotational Facts

• Orbital Speed: 9.7 km/s
• Season Length: Each season lasts about 7.4 Earth years.
• Eccentric Orbit: Slightly elliptical, leading to small variations in distance from the Sun.

5. Atmosphere and Climate

• Composition:
  • 96% Hydrogen
  • 3% Helium
  • Trace amounts of Methane and Ammonia
• Storms and Weather:
  • Hexagon at North Pole: Mysterious hexagonal storm system at the north pole.
  • Great White Spot: Massive periodic storms, occurring roughly every 30 years.

6. Internal Structure

• Core: Dense, rocky, or metallic core.
• Metallic Hydrogen Layer: Surrounds the core, contributing to the magnetic field.
• Outer Layers: Liquid hydrogen and helium.

7. Moons of Saturn

• Titan:
  • Largest moon (bigger than Mercury).
  • Dense atmosphere with lakes of liquid methane and ethane.
  • Potential for microbial life in its subsurface ocean.
• Enceladus:
  • Icy surface with subsurface ocean.
  • Shoots geysers of water into space, hinting at potential habitability.
• Other Moons: Rhea, Iapetus, Dione, Tethys, and Mimas.

8. Exploration of Saturn

• Pioneer 11 (1979): First flyby of Saturn.
• Voyager 1 & 2 (1980-1981): Detailed photos of rings and moons.
• Cassini-Huygens (2004-2017):
  • Orbited Saturn for 13 years.
  • Delivered the Huygens probe to Titan (first landing on Saturn’s moon).
  • Discovered water plumes from Enceladus.

9. Interesting Facts

• Fast Rotation: Saturn flattens at the poles due to its fast spin.
• Eclipses: Saturn’s rings cast shadows on the planet, creating spectacular visual effects.
• Shepherd Moons: Moons that help shape and maintain Saturn’s rings.
• Auroras: Saturn experiences auroras at its poles, much like Earth.

10. Why is Saturn Important?

• Understanding Gas Giants: Helps in understanding the formation of gas giants and exoplanets.
• Astrobiology: Titan and Enceladus are key targets in the search for extraterrestrial life.
• Planetary Formation: The ring system provides insights into disk formation around young stars.

11. Key Measurements

12. Saturn in Mythology and Culture

• Named After: Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture and wealth (Greek: Cronus).
• Symbol: ♄
• Astrological Significance: Represents time, structure, and discipline.
• Cultural References: Saturn’s beauty and its rings have made it a subject of fascination in art, literature, and science fiction.

13. Differences Between Saturn and Earth

14. Can Saturn Support Life?

• Surface: No solid surface – entirely gaseous.
• Moons:
  • Titan and Enceladus are primary candidates for life due to liquid bodies and subsurface oceans.