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Welcome to the Astro Minute! I'm Lauren Smyth, and with the help of astronomer and teacher Kelli Smyth, I'll be your tour guide as we explore the secrets of the night sky sixty seconds at a time.
Welcome to the Astro Minute, where we’re exploring the universe sixty seconds at a time. I’m Lauren Smyth, and today we’re looking at beautiful Saturn.
Saturn is a giant gas planet shepherding over one hundred forty-six moons, countless moonlets, and a breathtaking array of rings through our solar system. Saturn’s primary rings are made of ice particles through which Saturn’s moonlets move like boats scattering icy debris in their wake. Saturn’s moons are unique worlds, like giant Titan with its thick atmosphere, hydrocarbon rivers, lakes, clouds, and slowly falling rain. The colossal Phoebe Ring, an invisible dusty flat donut encircling Saturn, is the size of two full moons in our sky.
You’ll find bright yellowish Saturn rising in the evening east and following the sun’s path across the sky. And with binoculars, you can see the oblong appearance created by the entourage of the majestic ringed planet.
That’s your Astro Minute!