Saturn

Saturn has the most extensive ring system in the solar system - but it is only

• a few meters thick.

• a few thousand years old.

• an optical illusion that "disappears" sometimes.

• made up of rock & small debris.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Saturn emits more radiation than it receives from the Sun - most likely due to

• its position as the 6th planet from the Sun.

• the extensive ring system.

• core-mantle spin differentiation.

• "helium precipitation" falling inward from its atmosphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

The atmosphere of Saturn is very similar to that of Jupiter because

• the two planets are about the same size.

• they both have a single giant storm system.

• it contains mostly hydrogen & helium.

• it has traces of methane which gives it cloud bands.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Although there aren't as many storms & bright cloud banding as Jupiter, Saturn still has

• as many lightning strikes as Jupiter.

• a very weak magnetic field.

• a very dense structure overall.

• fast equatorial wind speeds of over 1000 km (620 mph).

Saturn (like Jupiter) also has a strong magnetic field. This creates ___ at its poles.

• massive hurricanes

• cloud banding

• auroras

• more ring structures

Saturn's overall density is about ___ - which is less than the density of water!

• the same as Jupiter

• the same as Earth

• 5.55 g/cm³

• .678 g/cm³

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Saturn's largest moon Titan is also the largest in the solar system.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Mimas is the innermost (spherical) moon and exerts a gravitational influence on Saturn's rings.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

What other unique feature of Titan make it such an unusual moon?

• its proximity to Saturn itself

• a thick atmosphere that is at least twice that of Earth's

• a subsurface ocean of water ice

• solid water/ice surface

Iapetus is also unusual in that it

• looks like another "death star" moon.

• contains an atmosphere like Titan's.

• has a two-toned dark & light surface.

• has an unusual orbit around Saturn.