If there is something that characterizes Saturn, it is, without a doubt, its rings. That is why what is going to happen in a few days is so surprising: his disappearance. But don’t worry, it doesn’t mean they will disappear forever. It’s just a rare phenomenon that occurs approximately every 15 years and that will hide them from our vision from Earth.
For a while, we will have the opportunity to see the second largest planet in the Solar System with a very different look than usual.
Saturn’s rings
Although Saturn can be seen with the naked eye from Earth, To see its rings well you need a telescopeeven if it is small. In his time, Galileo Galilei, with the basic instruments at his disposal, was able to intuit something around Saturn, which he described as “ears.” Today, with modern telescopes, Seeing the rings of Saturn is one of the most wonderful spectacles for lovers of sky observation and amateur astronomers.
These rings that surround Saturn are not simple decorations and They provide us with a lot of information about the gravitational forces that act in our solar system.
They are composed of agglomerations of dust, rock and ice and are divided into various groups, separated from each other by empty spaces that occupy kilometers of distance and that are believed to be formed due to orbital movements and the pulls of different gravitational forces. The largest of these separations, called the Cassini Divisionmeasures around 4,800 kilometers wide.
There is various theories about the origin of the particles that form the rings of Saturn: some believe that they emerged from a moon destroyed by the planet’s gravity; others, that it is the material left over from the formation of the planet.
Saturn’s 145 moons HAVE A LOT TO SEE
Saturn has at least 145 moons and some of them, which orbit close to the rings and are known as «shepherd moons», seem to play a very important role in the appearance of these rings.
iStock
Its gravity keeps the particles in placeprevents them from spreading too thin, and helps them maintain their recognizable divisions and bands.
Why will Saturn’s rings “disappear”?
If you want to see the rings of Saturn you must hurry, because soon they will disappear for a while. Seeing Saturn without its rings can also be quite an experience, as it will offer us a very different image from the one we all have in mind. How is it possible?
Saturn, like all the planets, orbits the Sun. In addition, and also like the rest of the planets (to a greater or lesser extent), it is somewhat inclined with respect to its axis, specifically 27 degrees.
Saturn’s tilt and position greatly influence how we see the rings. As it continues its orbit around the Sun, our view of Saturn changes. At some moments we see the full width of the rings, but at other times these They are aligned sideways and look so thin that they are practically imperceptible. This coincides with the period in which the Saturn equinox occurs.
This phenomenon, which occurs every 13 to 15 yearsis what started to happen Sunday March 23. This is what is known as «ring plane crossing«, it will seem that the rings have completely disappeared, because Its thin edges will point directly towards Earth. The Saturn equinox itself will arrive on May 6, 2025.
For several months, Saturn will look like a pale yellow sphere from most telescopes. Those devices with greater power will allow you to see, at most, a subtle line in the center of the planet.
Solar conjunction of Saturn
On March 12, a solar conjunction between Earth and Saturn placed this planet on the opposite side of the Sun seen from our perspective. Its proximity to the sun prevents it from being seen for the next 44 days, until the end of April.
iStock
This means that at the time of the «ring plane crossing», on March 23, Saturn’s proximity to the Sun also prevented us from seeing it..
When will the rings reappear?
We will have to wait a few months to enjoy Saturn and the brightness of its rings again. On May 6 the equinox arrives and then, as the Earth and Saturn change position, we will be able to see the rings better and better, which will be visible again starting November 2025. Nevertheless, For its point of maximum visibility we will have to wait until 2032when Saturn’s south pole is most tilted toward Earth.
It should be taken into account that Saturn’s rings are very thin In relation to their width: they have an average thickness of 10 meters and a maximum thickness of only 1 kilometer.
If you have been interested in this article and would like to receive more about a healthy lifestyle, sky observation and lunar calendar, join the Bodymente WhatsApp channel.