Three astronomers have found a new ring around the planet Saturn and it's said to be the largest of Saturn's rings. According to scientists, the ring is so large, if we could look up and see it, it would occupy a place in the sky four times the size of the full moon. The very faint ring stretches out miles and miles into space.
Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest planet in the Solar System, after Jupiter. Saturn, along with Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune, is classified as a gas giant. Together, these four planets are sometimes referred to as the Jovian, meaning "Jupiter-like", planets. Saturn is named after the Roman god Saturn.
The discovery of the Saturn's new ring was published online October 7 by Nature, the international weekly journal of science. Anne J. Verbiscer and Michael F. Skrutskie, both of the University of Virginia, and Douglas P. Hamilton of the University of Maryland indicated that they have apparently found the largest of the rings.
According to a report in the Washington Post, it supports the idea that planetary rings -- planets other than Saturn have them -- might also be found far from planets as well as close to them. The new ring, however, cannot be seen through an optical telescope, according to astronomers. The three scientists found the tiny, dark-particled ring through the orbiting Spitzer space telescope via infrared radiation detection equipment.
A full and detailed report of the newly found ring around Saturn can be read on NatureNews.com. A subscription is necessary.
Cheryl Phillips
Exclusive to HULIQ.com
source: NatureNews, CNN, Wikipedia, Washington Post
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