Saturn Flashcards
1
Q
saturn’s physical characteristics
- diameter
- avg. dist. from sun
- mass
- orbital pd
- rotational pd
- # of moons
- magnitude
A
- diameter = 9.5 x earth
- avg. dist. from sun = 9.5 AU
- mass = 95 x earth (2nd largest planet)
- orbital pd = 29.46 days
- rotational pd = 10.7 hrs
- # of moons = currently 60
- magnitude = 0.6 to 1.5
2
Q
saturn’s atmosphere (6)
A
- thick, active atmosphere
- more spread out vertically
- clouds lack contrast & color bc partly obscured by thick layer of haze
- cloud patterns indicate differential rotation
- hexagonal structure around n. pole
- nearly stationary & zones flow around it
3
Q
saturn’s storms (3)
A
- great white storm = storm that persisted for months
- cassini detected lightening in atmosphere
- very high winds
4
Q
saturn’s interior structure (6)
A
- similar to jupiter
- rock & metal core, surrounded by layer of melted ices
- less liquid hydrogen, creating lower pressure inside
- next layer = molecular hydrogen
- cloud layer at top
- overall density = less than that of water
5
Q
ring system (3)
A
- solid structure
- thousands of tiny ringlets that appear uniform
- orbit around equator & tipped 27 degrees from orbital plane
6
Q
ring system composition (3)
A
- composed of water ice & ice-covered rocks
- gaps arent empty; they contain dust
- salmon in color bc of presence of organic molecules
7
Q
ring system labels (6)
A
- Labeled alphabetically in order they were identified
- B ring: larger, brighter, closer to saturn
- A ring: fainter, farther out ring
- C ring: located inside b ring
- F ring: thin set of ringlets located just beyond A ring
- located b/t 2 tiny moons
8
Q
ring system labels - divisions & gaps (4)
A
- occur bc gravity of mimas (moon) combines w/ saturn’s gravity
- cassini division: gap b/t A & B rings
- encke division: wide gap in A ring
- keeler gap: wide gap near outer edge of A ring
9
Q
shepherd moons
A
moons herd F ring particles into a confined band
10
Q
ring origin theory (2)
A
- moon wandered too close to saturn & was torn apart by tidal forces
- rings were a moon that was never able to coalesce
11
Q
magnetic field (5)
A
- weaker than jupiter’s
- about 2/3 as strong as earth’s
- contains radiation belts
- creates dark “spokes” that move around the rings
- result of charges on surface of ring particles interacting with saturn’s magnetic field
12
Q
moons (4)
A
- only 7 of 60 moons are spherical
- rest = captured asteroids
- 12 moons move in clumps
- may be pieces of larger moon that was broken apart
13
Q
Titan characteristics (4)
A
- 2nd largest moon in s.s.
- diameter = larger than mercury
- mass = less than mercury
- few craters
14
Q
titan’s atmosphere (5)
A
- only moon to have dense atmosphere
- thick atmosphere haze blocks surface from view
- 90% of atmosphere = nitrogen
- clouds of methane form & dissipate seasonally
- methane & ethane condense & fall as rain
15
Q
titan’s surface (4)
A
- mountain range
- parts have dunes whose composition is unclear
- partly liquid surface; methane rain & rivers
- reservoirs of methane below surface
