Saturn – Astronomy Now

See Saturn as opposition this weekend

22 August 2023 Mark Armstrong

The amazing ringed world Saturn, the jewel in the Solar System’s crown, comes to opposition on 27 August.

Webb takes a spectacular infrared look at Saturn and its brilliant rings

30 June 2023 Astronomy Now

The James Webb Space Telescope turns its infrared eye on Saturn to test the observatory’s ability to tease out new details about the planet’s rings and moons. As might be expected by now, researchers were not disappointed.

Phosphorous detection strengthens case for Enceladus’ habitability

16 June 2023 Astronomy Now

Researchers find high concentrations of phosphorous in water ice spewed from Saturn’s moon Enceladus, more evidence of a habitable sub-surface environment.

“Rain” from Saturn’s rings heats the planet’s upper atmosphere

5 April 2023 Astronomy Now

An analysis of archival data shows particles raining down from Saturn’s rings heat the planet’s upper atmosphere.

Catch superb Saturn at its best in 2022

11 August 2022 Mark Armstrong

The Solar System’s most picturesque planet comes to opposition at 17h UT on 14 August, when it lies at the vast distance of 1,324 million kilometres.

Hubble Space Telescope completes its annual ‘grand tour’ of the Solar System

13 December 2021 Astronomy Now

The Hubble Space Telescope takes its annual tour of the outer planets, capturing spectacular views of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune to help astronomers monitor their always changing weather patterns.

Ripples in innermost rings show Saturn’s ‘fuzzy’ core wobbles

16 August 2021 Astronomy Now

Ripples in Saturn’s innermost rings indicate the planet’s core is a thick “soup” of material that sloshes about slightly, creating detectable gravitational fluctuations.

Helium ‘rain’ in Saturn’s interior may influence magnetic field

7 May 2021 Astronomy Now

Data collected by the Cassini spacecraft during its final few orbits of Saturn is shedding new light on the planet’s deep interior.

Using Hubble to monitor changing seasons on Saturn

23 March 2021 Astronomy Now

Using the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers are monitoring seasonal transitions in Saturn’s turbulent atmosphere.

Hubble snapshot of Saturn shows ‘lord of the rings’ in all its summertime glory

24 July 2020 Astronomy Now

Hubble images Saturn and its spectacular ring system, showing the effects of summertime heating across the planet’s northern hemisphere.