Saturn is the second largest planet in our solar system, and by far one of the most intriguing and beautiful of the planets. Not only is it a divine color scheme, but it truly is a remarkable creation further complimented by its unique and spectacular set of rings. It derived its name from the ancient God of the Harvest, considered to have ruled the world in its golden age.
Saturn’s rings may only be thin sheets of debris, ice blocks, and atmospheric gases, but put them all together, and we have one of the most famous images our Solar System offers. As thin as they may be, with over ten thousand of them working together, they become a truly remarkable spectacle in space. Some of its thinnest rings are actually kept in place by what we refer to as very small 'Shepherd Moons'. If these little moons get too close together, they are adaptable enough to swap orbits with each other in order to keep the ensuing harmony ongoing.
The actual planet itself appears to be a continuously active body of interactive liquid and gases. Its core is solid, whilst its atmosphere is a combination of various gases, helium, hydrogen, and ammonia. Saturn, like Jupiter, also supplies more heat than it receives from the Sun, but only to fuel its weather patterns. Its planetary winds can reach up to 1700 kilometers per hour, and travel around the planet in just over ten hours. One year on Saturn represents nearly thirty years on Earth.
Considering its size, this planet is remarkably light. If we could place the planet on a body of water large enough, it would most likely float. A true gas giant, Saturn controls over twenty moons, including the biggest moon in the Solar System, 'Titan'. Not only is Titan bigger than Mercury, but it has a denser atmosphere than any other moon in the Solar System.
One theory is that Titan could have methane in forms required for life to perpetuate. Just as Earth has water in ice, liquid, and its atmosphere, Titan could well have methane in these same forms. This theory represents the possibility that life forms could well have developed and adapted to these elements on Titan. As far fetching as it may sound, it presents a curious argument which mankind could investigate in its search for other alien life. Given the complexity of our Solar System's creation, anything is possible!
