Saturns Rings Changing

[Cladson]

Main Question or Discussion Point

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SATURN_RINGS?SITE=TNNAT&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT [Broken]

 

[vincentm]

Isn't there a theory about the material that makeup those rigs, eventually crashing into Saturn's atmoshpere or floating off?

 

[Garth]

The problem would be if the rings didn't change, but over what timescale? 25years is a fleabite in the planet's history.

Garth

 

[chroot]

Most theories of ring formation involve a moon being broken up by tidal forces. The resulting debris eventually makes its way back to the parent planet; most theories predict about a 50,000 year lifespan. In that respect, we're lucky to live at a time when Saturn is so resplendent.

- Warren