Common questions about Saturn

Short answers, pulled from the story.

Is Saturn less dense than water?

Saturn is the only planet in the Solar System that is less dense than water, meaning it would float if placed in a bathtub large enough. Its average specific density is 0.687 grams per cubic centimeter, which is lower than the density of water.

What is the hexagonal wave pattern at Saturn's north pole?

A persistent hexagonal wave pattern exists at Saturn's north pole, with each side measuring approximately 13,800 miles. This geometric cloud formation rotates with a period of 10 hours and 39 minutes and remains fixed in longitude unlike other drifting cloud features.

Does Saturn have diamond rain inside its core?

Scientists suggest that rainfalls of diamonds occur deep within Saturn's interior due to extreme pressure and temperature conditions. The core temperature reaches 11,700 degrees Celsius, causing carbon to crystallize into diamonds that rain down toward the core.

When did the Huygens probe land on Titan?

The Huygens probe descended onto the surface of Titan on the 14th of January 2005. This mission captured radar images of large lakes, coastlines, islands, and mountains on Saturn's largest moon.

Why is Enceladus considered a habitable spot for life?

Enceladus is considered the most habitable spot beyond Earth due to geysers erupting from its south polar region that spray water and icy particles into orbit. Evidence of liquid water reservoirs no more than tens of meters below the surface was reported by NASA in 2006, and these jets contain ingredients to sustain life forms.

When did the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft end its mission?

The Cassini-Huygens spacecraft performed the Grand Finale of its mission on the 15th of September 2017. The atmospheric entry of Cassini ended the mission, marking the conclusion of its exploration of the Saturnian system.