Astronomers discover colossal ring around Saturn

Posted on Wednesday, October 07 2009 @ 15:49 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
Scientists have discovered a new ring around Saturn that is much bigger and further out than any of the gas giant's other rings. The colossal ring lies some 13 million km from the planet, about 50 times more distant than the other rings and in a different plane. It's very diffuse and scientists believe it's probably made up of debris kicked off Saturn's moon Phoebe by small meteor impacts. More details at BBC News.
"The particles are very, very tiny, so the ring is very, very tenuous; and actually if you were standing in the ring itself, you wouldn't even know it," Dr Verbiscer told BBC News.

"In a cubic km of space, there are all of 10-20 particles."

Indeed, so feeble is the ring that scientists have calculated that if all the material were gathered up, it would fill a crater on Phoebe no more than a kilometre across.


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Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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