Saturn's magnificent rings will vanish in 18 months [View all]

Saturn’s magnificent rings will vanish in 18 months. Credit: NASA
11-26-2023

ByEric Ralls
Earth.com staff writer



In 1610, Galileo Galilei, renowned as the pioneer of modern astronomy, first laid eyes upon the magnificent rings of Saturn. His initial observations through an early, rudimentary telescope led him to describe these celestial features as resembling “ears.”

Now, centuries later, the marvels of Saturn’s rings are accessible to anyone equipped with basic astronomical gear.

Cosmic phenomenon
Yet, this grand sight has an expiration date set for 2025 – when Saturn’s rings will vanish from view, not once but twice. Composed of seven distinct rings, this cosmic phenomenon is believed to be formed from the remnants of comets, asteroids, and moons that ventured too near Saturn and were ripped apart by the planet’s immense gravitational pull.

The rings are also home to countless icy fragments and are shrouded in a layer of cosmic dust. Their exact age remains a topic of debate, though recent research posits they may be relative newcomers on the cosmic scene, having possibly formed a mere 400 million years ago – making them younger than a tenth of Saturn’s own age.

More:
https://www.earth.com/news/saturns-rings-will-vanish-from-sight-in-2025/