Saturn is the seventh planet on remoteness degree from the Sun and the second largest after Jupiter. Its density is less than water and theoretically she could swim easily in the ocean. Scientists consider Saturn a heavenly miracle.
Atmosphere
Saturn is the gas planet. Its atmosphere consists of hydrogen, a small amount of helium and traces of methane. The closer to the center of the planet, the temperature and pressure are higher. Scientists assume that in the middle of Saturn temperature reaches 8000 OS, and pressure in several million times surpasses terrestrial parameters. At a similar depth helium turns into droplets which fall to the center. As at their loss heat is released, Saturn radiates more energy, than receives from the Sun. Top layer of its atmosphere striped: parallel strips along the equator remind strips on Jupiter, but on Saturn they are not such contrast. These wide strips are formed in atmosphere zones which speed of rotation differs from the speed of rotation of other parts.
The atmosphere of Saturn is restless. On the equator, winds in east direction with a speed which sometimes reaches 1600 km/h blow. At middle latitudes of wind quieter also change the direction towards poles. From time to time huge vortex zones are formed – planetary hurricanes are formed here. It is result of rise in mass of hot gas from deep layers of the atmosphere.
Relief
Unlike planets of terrestrial group, Saturn has no firm surface. We mistakenly takes for it tops of clouds. It turns out, and there is no relief on Saturn.
Rings
In 1610 Galilei noticed some education around Saturn. Insufficiently high quality of optics did not allow it to understand that it is rings. They long time remained one of the main riddles of Saturn.
Rings are especially noticeable at their inclination to Earth and the Sun which lights them. As Earth is located in one plane with rings, we can see them only from an edge.
Saturn has thousands of rings. They are divided by a dark strip – "Cassini's division". Rings consist of myriads of the particles rotating in an orbit of Saturn. They represent blocks up to several meters in size, in mainly ice.
Scientists assume that rings consist of fragments of the small satellite which too close approached the planet and under the influence of its tidal forces was scattered on pieces. The formed splinters constantly faced and eventually were built on circular orbits in the plane parallel to the equator.
Day and year
Day on Saturn lasts 10 hours 14 minutes, and year – nearly 30 terrestrial years.
Satellites
Saturn has a huge number of satellites. The largest of them – the Titan. It was opened in 1655. It surpasses Pluto and Mercury in the sizes. Titanium is also the only natural satellite which has a dense atmosphere.