Fun Facts About the Planet Saturn

With a set of rings composed of ice and rock and dozens of moons circling it, Saturn is the sixth planet from the sun. It is the second largest in our solar system, eclipsed in size only by the giant Jupiter.

Surface

Saturn's core is rocky but the outer layers are mostly liquid hydrogen mixed with helium, meaning it would be impossible to stand on the surface without eventually sinking to the core.

Size

If Saturn were hollow, 764 planets the same size as Earth would fit inside it. Saturn has a diameter of 74,898 miles, so large that nine Earths would fit across its equator side by side.

Rings

Saturn's rings are so vast that they would extend all the way out to the moon if they were around the Earth. However, they are only a half mile thick.

Density

The composition of Saturn is such that its density is less than that of water. It would float if there were a vast enough area of water to place it into.

Winds

Measured winds on Saturn's equator reach more than 1,100 mph, or four times more than the fastest wind speed ever recorded on Earth.

Titan

Saturn's largest moon, Titan, is so big that it has a diameter larger than the planet Mercury.

References

• General Information on Saturn on the Enchanted Learning Website
• Saturn Fun Facts on the Cassini Equinox Mission Website