Science & Tech · Space · 8 hrs ago
Cassini observations suggest Saturn’s moon Rhea may have rings
Cassini observations suggest Saturn’s moon Rhea may have rings, a possibility that would make it the first known moon with a ring system.
The evidence came from the spacecraft’s 2005 flyby of Rhea, Saturn’s second-largest moon.
Scientists detected drops in electrons on both sides of the moon, which could mean that ring particles were absorbing them.
The rings have not been directly seen, so their existence remains unconfirmed.
One possible explanation is that an ancient asteroid or comet collision scattered debris around Rhea, though scientists do not know where it came from.
Further observations were planned to investigate the larger particles and test the idea.
Cassini observations suggest Saturn’s moon Rhea may be surrounded by a ring system.
The spacecraft detected drops in electrons on both sides of Rhea, which scientists said could indicate particles absorbing them.
If confirmed, the rings would be the first ring system found around a moon.
The proposed rings have not been directly seen, and their origin is unclear.
Scientists suggested an ancient asteroid or comet collision may have scattered material around Rhea.
- Who
- Scientists studying data from the international Cassini spacecraft, including lead author Geraint Jones.
- What
- Cassini observations suggest Rhea may have rings. The rings have not been directly seen.
- When
- The discovery was made in 2005; the report says the finding was described in a study published on March 7, 2008.
- Where
- Around Rhea, Saturn’s second-largest moon.
- Why
- Drops in electrons on both sides of Rhea suggested that particles could be absorbing them. The rings’ origin is unclear.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Cassini mission was launched.
Cassini reached Saturn.
The discovery was made, according to the report.
The report says the study describing the finding was published.
- Moon
- Rhea, Saturn’s second-largest moon
- Diameter
- 950 miles
- Evidence
- Drops in electrons detected on both sides of Rhea
- Discovery
- Made in 2005, according to the report
- Study
- Described as published March 7, 2008
What people are saying
After ruling out many other possibilities, we said these are most likely rings. No one was expecting rings around a moon.
Rings may even have survived since Rhea's formation.
Many years ago we thought Saturn was the only planet with rings. Now we may have a moon of Saturn that is a miniature version of its even more elaborately decorated parent.