Saturn's north pole hexagon vortex ring

In summary, a new photo has been released by NASA showing a detailed view of a hexagon vortex ring at Saturn's North pole. The article referenced a paper discussing the shape of the ring, and the videos accompanying it are described as stunning. Some people joked about aliens being responsible for the shape, but it was actually explained by the shape of the main hex nut not being tightened properly, resulting in loose material being flung out into rings around the planet.
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  • #3
nice, I hadn't seen the articles you posted before. Thanks a ton, the videos that accompany it are stunning.
 
  • #4
Mordred said:
nice, I hadn't seen the articles you posted before. Thanks a ton, the videos that accompany it are stunning.

agreed :smile: very cool

Dave

PS Mordred --- I'm sure that Rhawn Joseph from your other thread will find a way to blame it on an alien life form over looked by NASA :wink:
 
  • #5
:rofl: call it the Rhawn Joseph syndrome
 
  • #6
See how the corners are rounded? This, finally, explains why the the main hex nut was not tightened down enough to keep the out layers of the planet attached to the surface, resulting in rings of loose material flung out around the planet. Fairly sloppy on the alien engineer's part: "ring around the planet" and all that...
 
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What is Saturn's north pole hexagon vortex ring?

The Saturn's north pole hexagon vortex ring is a mysterious and unique weather pattern that was first discovered by the Voyager 1 spacecraft in the 1980s. It is a large, persistent hexagonal shaped jet stream located at the north pole of Saturn, surrounded by a circular vortex that rotates in the opposite direction.

How big is the hexagon vortex on Saturn?

The hexagon vortex on Saturn is about 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometers) in diameter, which is larger than the Earth's diameter. The sides of the hexagon are about 13,800 kilometers long, making it big enough to fit four Earths inside.

What causes the hexagon vortex on Saturn?

The exact cause of the hexagon vortex on Saturn is still a mystery to scientists. However, it is believed that the hexagonal shape is a result of the combination of Saturn's fast rotation and the atmospheric flow of winds. The exact mechanism that creates and maintains the hexagon is still under study.

Is the hexagon vortex on Saturn unique?

Yes, the hexagon vortex on Saturn is considered to be a unique phenomenon in our solar system. While similar shapes have been observed on other planets, such as Jupiter and Neptune, Saturn's hexagon vortex is the only one that is persistent and has been observed for decades.

Can we see the hexagon vortex on Saturn from Earth?

Yes, the hexagon vortex on Saturn can be seen from Earth using a powerful telescope. However, it is only visible when Saturn's north pole is facing towards Earth, which happens every 15 years. The hexagon can also be observed by spacecraft such as Cassini, which has captured stunning images of the phenomenon.

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