Saturn's Rings Appearance from Saturn?

In summary, the rings on Saturn are beautiful but you would need to be in orbit around Saturn to see them.
  • #1
gmax137
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What do the rings look like from an observer on the planet? Are they visible, or too "edge on" to see? Or maybe the sky is too bright?
 
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  • #2
Technically, you could not stand on Saturn because of it's composition. You would fall until you were crushed by the gravity. You'd probably burn up too.
 
  • #3
I didn't say I was "standing" anywhere.
 
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  • #4
unusually_wrong said:
Technically, you could not stand on Saturn because of it's composition. You would fall until you were crushed by the gravity. You'd probably burn up too.
Well, that's an uplifting thought for a Friday! o0)

With a quick Google Images search, I found this:

https://www.vox.com/science-and-hea... spacecraft -dives-saturn-rings-google-doodle
The Cassini spacecraft ’s dive in between Saturn’s rings, explained
CGF_STILL_00032.0.jpg
 

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Yeah, but it's Vox. If the Voxplainers told me my mother loved me, I would want to check it out.
 
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  • #6
gmax137 said:
I didn't say I was "standing" anywhere.

no, not "standing"

but you said …
gmax137 said:
What do the rings look like from an observer on the planet?

which implied the same thing :wink:

you would have to be in orbit around Saturn ( an orbit inside that of the ring system)
and the view you would get would depend on your latitude

there are images on the www ……. let's look ……

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources/160/beyond-curved-rings/?category=planets_saturn

160_PIA12712.jpg
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources/164/light-and-dark-tricks/?category=planets_saturnhttps://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources/180/obscured-by-rings/?category=planets_saturnDave
 

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davenn said:
no, not "standing"

but you said …which implied the same thing :wink:

you would have to be in orbit around Saturn ( an orbit inside that of the ring system)
and the view you would get would depend on your latitude

there are images on the www ……. let's look ……

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources/160/beyond-curved-rings/?category=planets_saturn

View attachment 228527https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources/164/light-and-dark-tricks/?category=planets_saturnhttps://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources/180/obscured-by-rings/?category=planets_saturnDave
Wow, beauty. Thanks Dave. [emoji1]
 
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What are Saturn's rings made of?

Saturn's rings are made up of billions of individual ice particles ranging in size from tiny grains to large boulders. The exact composition of the rings is still being studied, but they are primarily made of water ice with some rocky material mixed in.

How were Saturn's rings formed?

The origin of Saturn's rings is still a topic of debate among scientists. One theory suggests that they were formed from the debris of a moon that was torn apart by Saturn's gravity. Another theory suggests that they are remnants of material left over from the formation of Saturn and its moons.

Why do Saturn's rings appear to have gaps?

Saturn's rings have gaps due to the gravitational pull of its moons. Some moons, known as shepherd moons, orbit within the rings and their gravity creates gaps by pushing and pulling the particles in the rings.

How do Saturn's rings affect its appearance from Earth?

The rings of Saturn can greatly affect its appearance from Earth. Depending on their tilt, the rings can either appear as a thin line or a broad disk. The rings can also block some of the light from the planet, making it appear dimmer or brighter to us on Earth.

Will Saturn's rings eventually disappear?

It is estimated that Saturn's rings may only have a lifespan of a few hundred million years. This is due to the constant bombardment of micrometeoroids and the gravitational pull of Saturn's moons, which can cause the rings to dissipate over time.

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