Spitzer Space Telescope Discovers Largest Ring Around Saturn

Posted on October 8, 2009 by Jonathan Smith

Well all you science teachers who teach astronomy time to get your text books and add a new ring around Saturn. Spitzer Space Telescope has discovered an enormous ring around Saturn — by far the largest of the giant planet’s many rings. The new belt lies at the far reaches of the Saturnian system, with an orbit tilted 27 degrees from the main ring plane. The bulk of its material starts about six million kilometers (3.7 million miles) away from the planet and extends outward roughly another 12 million kilometers (7.4 million miles). One of Saturn’s farthest moons, Phoebe, circles within the newfound ring, and is likely the source of its material.  On a more personal level, my daughter Dr Joannah Hinz (senior research advisor with Spitzer) was involved with some of the imagin work on this project.

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3 Responses to Spitzer Space Telescope Discovers Largest Ring Around Saturn

  1. Michael says:
    October 8, 2009 at 9:27 pm

    So when am I going to start hearing on the TV news the Sun has been asleep more than 2 years now and winter in the upper mid west is arriving more than 1 month early this year?

  2. Jonathan Smith says:
    October 10, 2009 at 7:55 am

    Michael, If you mean this http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080609124551.htm
    I agree it has not had much media attention.
    Of course it may be getting colder in the upper mid west, but try telling that to us Floridians who are experiencing record highs for October.

  3. Green Earth says:
    October 12, 2009 at 2:42 pm

    It’s cold in Michigan!! about 2 weeks ago it got cold and hasn’t been above 60 (F) since! I know my parents said it has been crazy hot in FL though.

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