Saturn
Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second-largest in our solar system. Famous for its stunning ring system visible even through a small telescope, Saturn is a gas giant made mostly of hydrogen and helium. It has more confirmed moons than any other planet, including Titan, the only moon with a dense atmosphere.
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- Diameter
- 120,536 km
- Mass
- 95.2 Earths
- Distance from Sun
- 9.537 AU
- Surface gravity
- 10.44 m/s²
- Average temperature
- -140°C
- Known moons
- 146
- Orbital period
- 29.4 Earth years
- Rotation period
- 10.7 hours
- Ring system
- Yes
Source: NASA Planetary Fact Sheets (nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov)
Atmosphere
Hydrogen (96.3%) and helium (3.25%). Upper atmosphere contains ammonia ice crystals giving a pale gold appearance.
In Depth
Saturn is the jewel of the solar system, defined by its magnificent ring system. The rings are made primarily of water ice particles ranging from tiny grains to house-sized chunks, with traces of rocky material. They extend 282,000 km from the planet but are remarkably thin — averaging only about 10 meters thick. Despite their grand appearance, the rings contain relatively little mass: if gathered together, they would form a body less than 100 km across. Saturn itself is a massive ball of hydrogen and helium with no solid surface. It is the least dense planet in our solar system at 0.687 g/cm³ — the only planet less dense than water. Winds near the equator reach 1,800 km/h, making them among the fastest in the solar system. A bizarre hexagonal cloud pattern at the north pole, discovered by Voyager in the 1980s, spans about 30,000 km across — wide enough to fit nearly four Earths. Saturn's 146 known moons include Titan, which is larger than Mercury and has a thick nitrogen atmosphere with methane rain, rivers, and lakes. Enceladus, another moon, shoots geysers of water ice into space from a subsurface ocean, making it another candidate for extraterrestrial life.
Notable Features
- 01
The most spectacular ring system in the solar system, extending 282,000 km from the planet
- 02
The lowest density of any planet — Saturn would float in water if a bathtub were large enough
- 03
Titan, its largest moon, has a thick atmosphere and liquid methane lakes
- 04
A persistent hexagonal storm pattern at the north pole, 30,000 km across
Exploration & Missions
Pioneer 11 made the first flyby in 1979. Voyager 1 (1980) and Voyager 2 (1981) provided detailed images of the rings and moons. NASA's Cassini-Huygens mission (2004-2017) was transformative: Cassini orbited Saturn for 13 years, discovering new moons, observing seasonal changes, and revealing Enceladus's ocean geysers. The Huygens probe landed on Titan in January 2005 — the most distant landing ever achieved — photographing a landscape of rounded ice pebbles and methane riverbeds. NASA's Dragonfly mission, expected to launch in 2028, will send a rotorcraft to fly across Titan's surface.
Fun Facts
Saturn's rings may be relatively young — possibly only 100-400 million years old, meaning dinosaurs may have existed before Saturn had its rings.
Saturn has the fastest winds in the solar system after Neptune, with equatorial gusts reaching 1,800 km/h.
Saturn's moon Enceladus shoots geysers of water into space, feeding Saturn's E ring with fresh ice particles.
Saturn is so far from the Sun that it takes sunlight about 80 minutes to reach it, compared to 8 minutes for Earth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Saturn's rings made of?▾
Saturn's rings are composed of billions of particles of water ice and ice-coated rock, ranging in size from tiny grains of sand to chunks as large as houses. The rings are organized into distinct bands separated by gaps, with the Cassini Division being the most prominent gap visible from Earth.
How many moons does Saturn have?▾
Saturn has 146 confirmed moons as of 2024, the most of any planet. The largest, Titan, is bigger than Mercury and has a thick atmosphere with liquid methane lakes. Other notable moons include icy Enceladus (with its subsurface ocean), Mimas (which looks like the Death Star), and Iapetus (with one hemisphere dramatically darker than the other).
Could Saturn really float in water?▾
Technically yes — Saturn's average density is 0.687 g/cm³, which is less than water's 1.0 g/cm³. However, this is a thought experiment: Saturn is 95 times Earth's mass and 9 times wider, so no body of water could hold it. The low density comes from its composition being mostly lightweight hydrogen and helium gas.
Learn More
The 8 Planets in Order: An Interactive Guide for Students — an in-depth article covering all 8 planets, with size comparisons and learning activities.
Data source: NASA Planetary Fact Sheets
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