Saturn

Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second-largest in the Solar System, after Jupiter. It is a gas giant with an average radius of about nine-and-a-half times that of Earth. It has only one-eighth the average density of Earth, but is over 95 times more massive. However, even though Saturn is nearly the size of Jupiter, Saturn has less than one-third of Jupiter's mass.

Saturn
Pictured in natural color approaching equinox, photographed by Cassini in July 2008; the dot in the bottom left corner is Titan
Designations
Pronunciation/ˈsætərn/
Named after
Saturn
AdjectivesSaturnian /səˈtɜːrniən/, Cronian / Kronian /ˈkrniən/
Symbol
Orbital characteristics
Epoch J2000.0
Aphelion1,514.50 million km (10.1238 AU)
Perihelion1,352.55 million km (9.0412 AU)
1,433.53 million km (9.5826 AU)
Eccentricity0.0565
378.09 days
9.68 km/s (6.01 mi/s)
317.020°
Inclination
113.665°
2032-Nov-29
339.392°
Known satellites146 with formal designations; innumerable additional moonlets.
Physical characteristics
Mean radius
58,232 km (36,184 mi)
9.1402 Earths
Equatorial radius
  • 60,268 km (37,449 mi)
  • 9.449 Earths
Polar radius
  • 54,364 km (33,780 mi)
  • 8.552 Earths
Flattening0.09796
Circumference
  • 4.27×1010 km2 (1.65×1010 sq mi)
  • 83.703 Earths
Volume
  • 8.2713×1014 km3 (1.9844×1014 cu mi)
  • 763.59 Earths
Mass
  • 5.6834×1026 kg
  • 95.159 Earths
Mean density
0.687 g/cm3 (0.0248 lb/cu in) (less than water)
0.1246 Earths
0.22
35.5 km/s (22.1 mi/s)
10 h 32 m 36 s;
10.5433 hours, 10 h 39 m;
10.7 hours
10h 33m 38s + 1m 52s
1m 19s
Equatorial rotation velocity
9.87 km/s (6.13 mi/s; 35,500 km/h)
26.73° (to orbit)
North pole right ascension
40.589°; 2h 42m 21s
North pole declination
83.537°
Albedo
Surface temp. min mean max
1 bar 134 K
0.1 bar 88 K 97 K 151 K
−0.55 to +1.17
−9.7
14.5″ to 20.1″ (excludes rings)
Atmosphere
Surface pressure
140 kPa
59.5 km (37.0 mi)
Composition by volume
  • 96.3%±2.4% hydrogen
  • 3.25%±2.4% helium
  • 0.45%±0.2% methane
  • 0.0125%±0.0075% ammonia
  • 0.0110%±0.0058% hydrogen deuteride
  • 0.0007%±0.00015% ethane
  • Icy volatiles:

    Saturn's interior is thought to be composed of a rocky core, surrounded by a deep layer of metallic hydrogen, an intermediate layer of liquid hydrogen and liquid helium, and finally, a gaseous outer layer. Saturn has a pale yellow hue due to ammonia crystals in its upper atmosphere. An electrical current within the metallic hydrogen layer is thought to give rise to Saturn's planetary magnetic field, which is weaker than Earth's, but which has a magnetic moment 580 times that of Earth due to Saturn's larger size. Saturn's magnetic field strength is around one-twentieth of Jupiter's. The outer atmosphere is generally bland and lacking in contrast, although long-lived features can appear. Wind speeds on Saturn can reach 1,800 kilometres per hour (1,100 miles per hour).

    The planet has a bright and extensive ring system composed mainly of ice particles, with a smaller amount of rocky debris and dust. At least 146 moons are known to orbit the planet, of which 63 are officially named; this does not include the hundreds of moonlets in its rings. Titan, Saturn's largest moon and the second largest in the Solar System, is larger (while less massive) than the planet Mercury and is the only moon in the Solar System to have a substantial atmosphere.

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