Explore Saturn

About Saturn

Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second-largest in the Solar System, after Jupiter. Known for its stunning rings, Saturn is a gas giant composed mostly of hydrogen and helium. Its unique appearance has made it one of the most recognizable planets in our solar system.

The planet's atmosphere features bands of light and dark clouds driven by winds that can reach speeds of 1,800 kilometers per hour. Saturn's famous rings are made up of countless particles of ice, dust, and rock, ranging in size from microscopic to house-sized.

Saturn vs Earth Comparison

Feature	Saturn	Earth
Diameter	120,536 km	12,742 km
Day Length	10.7 Earth hours	24 hours
Year Length	29.5 Earth years	365.25 days

Major Moons

Titan

Largest moon, has thick atmosphere

Enceladus

Ice-covered moon with water geysers

Mimas

Known as the "Death Star" moon

Interesting Facts

Saturn's diameter is about 120,536 km, making it 9.5 times wider than Earth.
It takes approximately 29.5 Earth years for Saturn to orbit the Sun once.
Saturn has at least 82 confirmed moons, with Titan being the largest and most fascinating.
The rings of Saturn extend up to 175,000 miles wide but are only about 30 feet thick.
Despite its massive size, Saturn has such low density that it could float in a hypothetical ocean large enough to contain it.
The temperature at Saturn's core is estimated to be about 11,700°C (21,092°F).
Saturn's atmospheric winds can reach speeds of up to 1,800 kilometers per hour.

Space Missions to Saturn

Several spacecraft have visited Saturn, including:

Pioneer 11 (1979) - First flyby
Voyager 1 (1980) - Detailed observations
Voyager 2 (1981) - Extended study
Cassini-Huygens (2004-2017) - Most detailed study to date