Saturn is probably one of our solar system's most famous planets. The ringed giant has always intrigued humankind for as long as we've been looking towards the heavens, as one of the five planets visible to the naked eye, it has always been with us. But it wasn't until Galileo Galilei's telescope in 1610 that we finally discovered that this odd planet had "ears" jutting out either side.
It wasn't until telescopic technology got a bit better that astronomers finally realized that those "ears" were actually rings! Even though the image of these rings was a bit clearer, the planet remained a mystery. But as we've gotten closer and closer, this oddity in our solar system has gotten even stranger.
The Cassini space probe launched in 1997 and didn't arrive in Saturn's orbit until 2004, but since then it has been sending us back some absolutely breathtaking images. One of the most ambitious missions to ever be launched into space, this powerful spacecraft is filled with a multitude of scientific equipment and cameras to send data back to Earth. Hopefully now we'll finally learn what this powerful planet is really all about!
Take a look below at some of the most amazing images from one of our most amazing planets. Images like these really help put everything in perspective!
And please SHARE these valuable images if you love our solar system!
The rings of Saturn are made mostly of water ice. Even to this day there is no consensus as to what caused their initial formation.
The rings of Saturn are about 175,000 miles across, but only about 3,200 feet thick! They orbit the planet at speeds of about 30,000 miles per hour.
There are four main groups of rings and three smaller groupings. Close up views of the rings have recently showed that these seven ring groups are made up of thousands of smaller rings.
The planet itself is a gas giant, and has mighty storms all over the surface at any moment of its (29 Earth years) year!
Saturn also has 62 confirmed moons. Here's the second biggest, Rhea, eclipsing the largest, Titan. Titan is bigger than Mercury and many scientists think that this planet could very well support non-water based life in its liquid methane lakes!
Don't forget the "spongey" moon, Hyperion; named after the elder brother of Cronus, the Greek equivalent of Saturn.
Here is the moon Enceladus, another satellite that could very well be harboring life deep under the layers of ice. If there is geothermal activity in its core, that could easily support life via vents on the alien ocean's floor.
Scientists think that if there is life in our solar system, it could easily be hidden on Enceladus. This famous photo shows plumes of water, jetting into the solar system. These geysers seem almost an intentional sign to the universe of life screaming int
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