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The Solar System

The Planets - Saturn.

Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun.

The information below is included to let you know
a little more about the planets in our solar system.
You will not be expected to remember this information for the exam.

Saturn spins on its axis once in about 10 hours,
slightly slower than Jupiter.
The surface temperature of Saturn is about -180°C.

Saturn is the second largest planet.
It is perhaps the most famous planet in the solar system
because of its distinctive rings (see picture),
which may be seen through a small telescope.

Like Jupiter, Saturn is made mainly from hydrogen and helium and
gives out more heat than it receives from the Sun. Compression
and collision of the gas is thought to produce the extra heat.

Saturn is visible in the night sky but is less bright than Jupiter.
It has a weak magnetic field.

Saturn has at least sixty moons, perhaps many more.
The largest is called Titan and it is bigger than the planet Mercury.

(see Summary for further information).

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