Saturn is the second largest planet in the solar system, a gas giant and one of the most beautiful objects in the sky.

As with Jupiter there is no solid surface, the planet is largely a ball of gas. The visible surface consists of cloud tops. Deeper down the Hydrogen making up about 75% of the gas becomes denser due to the pressure of the overlying layers and becomes first liquid and then solid. A small core of molten rock may exist.

Saturn rotates once in just over 10 hours and because it is not solid the rapid rotation causes the equator to bulge out. The diameter through the equator is 10% greater than the diameter through the poles.

The most spectacular thing about Saturn is the rings. The rings consist of rocks and ice varying in size from that of a small van to particles the size of a grain of sand.

To date 47 moons have been discovered 35 of which have been officially named and new ones are being discovered regularly.

Full information about the moons here >> (active internet connection required).

Amazing LARGE diagram of Saturn's rings and moons here>> (active internet connection required).