NASA study says Saturn is losing its rings

NASA scientists explain that Saturn's rings are being drawn into the planet by gravity, forming a dusty rain of ice particles influenced by Saturn's magnetic field. This 'ring rain' drains enough water to fill an Olympic-sized pool every 30 minutes. The rings may disappear in 100 million years. Various forces, including gravity, orbital velocity, and electrical charges, affect the ring particles, with Saturn's magnetic field playing a significant role.

What natural phenomenon is causing Saturn's rings to lose material?

• A solar wind

• A dusty rain of ice particles

• A meteor shower

• A volcanic eruption

How much water is drained from Saturn's rings every 30 minutes?

• Enough to fill a small pond

• Enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool

• Enough to fill a bathtub

• Enough to fill a lake

According to estimates, how long will it take for Saturn's rings to completely disappear?

• 50 million years

• 200 million years

• 10 million years

• 100 million years

What force tries to pull the ring particles towards Saturn?

• The particles' own mass

• The sun's radiation

• Saturn's gravity

• Saturn's magnetic field

What can cause the ring particles to become electrically charged?

• Saturn's atmosphere

• The sun or plasma clouds

• Cosmic rays

• Nearby moons