Saturn Saturn's rings, one of the most stunning landscapes in the solar system. Even with a small telescope, one can see this spectacular ring. It's like a gorgeous necklace hanging from Saturn's neck.
It amazes everyone who sees it!However, while admiring it, do you know how it was born?
When Saturn's rings were first discovered, most scientists thought they were solid structures because physics was not well developed.
However, as we continue to understand physics, we continue to deepen. Scientists are gradually realizing that Saturn's rings should not seem to be solid. Because if it were solid, then the gravitational friction between it and Saturn would destroy them very quickly.
The real rings of Saturn are made up of countless rocks and ice crystals as small as pebbles and as large as houses.
According to current models**, these rings are formed by comets, asteroids, and moons in orbit**. But how exactly do they break down?
In the solar system, every planet is surrounded by a region known as the Loch limit.
The so-called Loch limit is the critical distance at which a celestial body is destroyed by tidal forces due to gravitational force. All objects that enter this area will be torn apart by the gravitational pull of the planet.
In the case of Saturn's rings, it is likely that it formed after the asteroid fell towards Saturn and exceeded the Loch limit. And these objects, torn apart by Saturn's gravity, fell into orbit, eventually forming the huge ring-like structure that now surrounds Saturn.
So, when did it come into being?
The age of Saturn's rings remains a huge mystery to the solar system.
Scientists estimate that Saturn's rings formed about 100 million years ago. It is precisely because it is so young that it looks larger and brighter than the rings of other gas giants.
Over time, this ring will slowly disintegrate, become like other gas giants, or even disappear from our view entirely.
It is estimated that this beautiful necklace of Saturn may only be less than 100 million years away.