The Farthest Ring of Saturn... Prepare To Be Amazed.

Scientists discovered a ring based on the WISE (Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer) sattelite's data. For the first time we know how far Saturn's rings actually extend - this farthest ring is approximately 1.8 million miles from the surface of the planet. This makes the ring about 3.7 million miles large.

Because of its low visibility, scientists needed the help of the WISE to actually measure the size of this "dark" ring. Above is an artistic rendering of the size of the thing.

Source: www.nasa.gov...

Before anyone asks: although the ring is hundreds times the diameter of Saturn, no, the ring does not intersect the orbit of any planets.

Prepare To Be Amazed.

I feel nothing at all. NOTHING. And that's the way I like it- for now, anyway.

a reply to: PrinceJohnson

Is "not feeling" not a feeling?

Just saying...

Amazing. Have they used this technique to detect this around any other planets? I wonder if other planets, if not all, have this.

a reply to: swanne

Is this the Phoebe ring or did NASA find an additional ring beyond that in the past 6 years?

a reply to: swanne

That really is incredible, and just goes to show the mysterious nature of gravity...

In the artists portrait, with Saturn in the middle, you really get a sense of just how small Saturn is, and yet how big the ring is!

The fact that tiny little Saturn flies around the sun, and yet takes this enormous ring with it...really tells u something about Saturn's gravitational pull!! Astounding!

a reply to: NewsGlug

"tiny little Saturn"?

It's the 2nd largest planet and is 9 times the radius of Earth. Only Jupiter is larger.

originally posted by: DAVID64
a reply to: NewsGlug

"tiny little Saturn"?

It's the 2nd largest planet and is 9 times the radius of Earth. Only Jupiter is larger.

It appears he is saying how small Saturn is relative to the solar system. And I agree. From the rendition, Saturn is just a tiny pebble in the middle of an enormous ring. And the fact that it can take the ring with it and keep it in perfect shape is nothing short of amazing.

originally posted by: DAVID64
a reply to: NewsGlug

"tiny little Saturn"?

It's the 2nd largest planet and is 9 times the radius of Earth. Only Jupiter is larger.

Relative to this newly discovered ring, Saturn IS tiny.

I love rings!

originally posted by: swanne
a reply to: PrinceJohnson

Is "not feeling" not a feeling?

Just saying...

That's interesting. Feeling is scientifically observed through physiological changes pf the nervous system. Degrees of elation (above baseline) and depression (below baseline) make up your feeling states. It would seem remaining at baseline would qualify as "non feeling" and perhaps not be a feeling at all.

a reply to: PrinceJohnson

How sad for you. Warn us when you begin to feel so we can brace for impact, please?

a reply to: LDragonFire


LOL!!! love it!

originally posted by: swanne
a reply to: PrinceJohnson

Is "not feeling" not a feeling?

Just saying...

Very cool,thx for sharing

a reply to: swanne
Saturn is a worm hole. It's a gate.

I wonder what the thickness is.

Is it a flat ring or more of a torous?

The already known visible rings of suturn are just rocks (tiny to big ones) and dust orbiting the planet, but whatever matter this enormous ring is made of...

The bulk of the ring material starts about six million kilometers (3.7 million miles) away from the planet

...how can such a small (relatively) planet's gravity field sustain such a huge amount of matter in that distance?

Even if it is made of just dust and ice.... it's amazing (and beautiful to imagine)

a reply to: swanne

Instant screen saver...nuff said

originally posted by: wildapache
a reply to: swanne

Instant screen saver...nuff said

You confused the hell out of me just now, as I thought it was me who posted a reply to this thread.

originally posted by: pl3bscheese
It would seem remaining at baseline would qualify as "non feeling" and perhaps not be a feeling at all.

Zero is as much a value than +1 or -1. Saying that is it a non-value would only be true if +1 and -1 were the only values possible.