How Saturn differs from the Earth
| Saturn differs from the Earth in that there is no sharp distinction between atmosphere and the planet's body. Instead there is a slow gradual change from gaseous atmosphere to liquid. The pressure increases with depth, and the hydrogen and helium gases become liquid. Thus, Saturn does not have a "surface" in the same sense that the Earth does. It would be impossible to land a spacecraft, though one could be made to drop slowly with a parachute and transmit information until the intense pressure of Saturn's atmosphere crushed it. |
Saturn's atmosphere
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Saturn's atmosphere, although similar to Jupiter's, is much less interesting to look at. It tends to have a uniform beige color, which is attributed to sulfur in the atmosphere. False color images, however, reveal bands across Saturn running parallel to the equator much like Jupiter's. Also like Jupiter violent winds whip though the atmosphere at over 1000 mph.
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Saturn's Composition
| The hydrogen gas that makes up the atmosphere slowly transitions to liquid as pressures increase. Below the liquid hydrogen rest the heavier liquid helium. Deep in the depths of the body of Saturn the hydrogen, now under tremendous pressure, is transformed to liquid metallic hydrogen. It is believed that at the center of Saturn exists a rocky core about ten times the mass of the Earth.
Saturn is approximately 75% hydrogen and 25% helium with traces of other substances like methane and water ice. |
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Storms
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Storms similar to Jupiter's are known to appear, but are much more rare. Although nothing like Jupiter's well known Giant Red Spot exists on Saturn, large violent storms have been spotted by the Hubbell Space Telescope. |
Interesting fact
| Interestingly Saturn, like Jupiter, is emitting large amounts of infrared energy. The interior of Saturn is believed to be about 12000K at the center, and the planet is emitting twice as much heat into space as it receives from the sun |