Mystery of how Saturn's rings formed is solved
04:21PM Sat 8 Aug, 2015
Rock and ice were repeatedly smashed together to create planetary wonder
They have captivated and mystified astronomers since they were discovered 400 years ago, but scientists may have solved the mystery of why Saturn's rings look like they do. Mathematicians have analysed the neat distribution of particles of ice and rock throughout the rings and say they are characteristic of catastrophic collisions over time.Their findings help explain why there is such an abundance of small particles in the rings, while objects wider than 32-ft (10 metres) are incredibly rare.
Recent research has suggested that each ring layer is dominated by a particular particle size and formed relatively recently in the planet's history.The research may also help to predict the presence of rings around other planets.
Scientists believe that the large particles appear to have collided at slow speeds, and in turn triggered smaller particles to collide at higher speeds. This results in a cycle of aggregation and fragmentation until a steady state is reached. The researchers say this can also explain the formation of rings around planets like Uranus, Jupiter and Neptune, along with distant asteroids Chiron and Chariklo.It could also help scientists to predict how the rings around planets outside of our own solar system may look.
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