(WTAJ) — Saturn, one of the most awe-inspiring sights in our solar system, is losing its iconic appearance.
Well, in a sense.
As Saturn dances in the night sky, it tilts on its axis, much like Earth. It takes her 29.4 Earth years for the planet to orbit the sun once. However, its rotation is fast, and her day on Saturn is only 10.7 hours Earth time. According to NASA.
Scientists know that Saturn’s rings will slowly (over the next few million years) be drawn into Saturn’s atmosphere, but 2025 will be a little different.
What is happening to Saturn’s rings?
Saturn is in transition, and as its tilt changes, Saturn brings the edges of its rings into direct alignment with Earth. Think of it like trying to look directly at a piece of paper from the end zone on the opposite side of the football field.
However, have no fear. Saturn will continue its celestial dance, and by 2032 its transition is predicted to give us a spectacular view of the underside of its rings. space dot com.
According to , this event occurs approximately every 15 years. NASA. Specifically, it will pass through Saturn’s ring surface on March 23, 2025. 1 to 3 intersections Around half a revolution of Saturn.
Although Saturn’s rings appear to be “disappearing” within two years, it will not be completely “ringless” until a “triple transit” in 2038 and 2039. NASAOn October 15, 2038, April 1, and July 9, 2039, Saturn will experience a “favorable ring plane crossing” that will make it appear even more ringless.
Although we won’t be able to see Saturn’s rings in 2025, this space event should provide great views of many of Saturn’s 146 moons.
Speaking of the moon, NASA scientists believe The mass of the satellites orbiting Earth causes Saturn’s tilt to change, and will continue to do so for billions of years to come.
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