Saturn

Saturn, sixth planet from the sun, is the second largest planet in our solar system.

Related Topics: Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus, Pluto 

Latest Updates

Active vents from Earth's "Lost City" hydrothermal system could be similar to features found in the oceans of Europa and Enceladus.

Surprising newfound ocean bacteria could aid search for alien life

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

A newfound, highly adaptable bacterium shows the kind of diverse life to look for on Europa or Enceladus, astronomers say.

An illustration of the early morning sky on March 19 showing the conjunction of the moon and Saturn.

Watch the moon meet up with Saturn in the pre-dawn sky tonight

By Robert Lea published

The moon meets up with Saturn early on Sunday (March 19) with the two celestial objects in conjunction. The arrangement will be only visible in the early morning pre-dawn hours, so plan accordingly.

Enceladus' geysers blast water vapor, silica particles and other material out into space.

How deep-sea silica ends up in Saturn moon Enceladus' famous geysers

By Robert Lea published

Scientists have discovered how Saturn's moon Enceladus blasts tiny silica particles into space, where they eventually help form one of Saturn's famous rings.

Saturn's moon Titan looks a bit like Earth, but is, in fact, very different.

Subsurface ocean tides on Saturn's moon Titan are influenced by its icy crust

By Laurence Tognetti published

Scientists examine how Titan's icy shell creates tides in the moon's subsurface ocean.

This latest image heralds the start of Saturn's "spoke season" with the appearance of two smudgy spokes in the B ring, on the left in the image. The shape and shading of spokes varies – they can appear light or dark, depending on the viewing angle, and sometimes appear more like blobs than classic radial spoke shapes, as seen here.

Hubble spies strange spokes on Saturn's rings after 14-year hiatus (video)

By Samantha Mathewson published

The Hubble Space Telescope recently observed mysterious features known as spokes on Saturn's rings linked to the planet's fall equinox, which last occurred in 2009.

Researchers modeled the Herschel impact basin on Mimas, suggesting that the Saturn moon may have a thinning ice shell surrounding a geologically young internal ocean.

Saturn's moon Mimas may be a 'stealth' ocean world

By Samantha Mathewson published

The icy Saturn moon Mimas may have a geologically young internal ocean surrounded by a thinning ice shell, new research suggests.

An illustration of the night sky on Jan. 24 showing Venus and Saturn below the crescent moon.

See Venus and Saturn together beneath the crescent moon tonight (Jan. 24)

By Brett Tingley published

Venus and Saturn will appear close together in the night sky on Tuesday (Jan. 24) beneath a crescent moon.

Jan22-2023 at 550 pm - Venus Kisses Saturn

Don't miss Saturn and Venus together in the night sky tonight

By Robert Lea published

On Sunday (Jan. 22), the planets Saturn and Venus will make a close approach to each other in the night sky, separated by no more than the width of a finger.

An illustration of the evening sky on Jan. 22 depicting the conjunction of Venus and Saturn.

Watch Venus and Saturn shine extra close together in a planet conjunction today in this free webcast (Jan. 22)

By Robert Lea last updated

The conjunction of Venus and Saturn will be livestreamed so astronomy fans can watch it from the comfort of their homes without having to brave the bitter cold of a January evening.

An illustration of the night sky on Jan. 22 showing the close approach of Venus and Saturn.

What time is the conjunction of Venus and Saturn on Sunday (Jan. 22)?

By Brett Tingley published

On Sunday (Jan. 22) at 5:13 p.m. EST (2213 GMT), Venus and Saturn will make a close approach in the night sky, known as an appulse, and will also be in conjunction.

A NASA/JPL image showing Venus and Saturn moving together in the night sky.

Watch Venus and Saturn begin joining up in the night sky this week

By Stefanie Waldek published

The planets will begin closing in on one another ahead of a conjunction on Sunday (Jan. 22), during which they will appear just one-third of a degree apart.

Jan22-2023 at 550 pm - Venus Kisses Saturn

See Venus and Saturn snuggle in the sky Sunday (Jan. 22)

By Joe Rao published

Venus and Saturn will be in conjunction on Sunday (Jan. 22), appearing close enough together in the sky to both be seen through a telescope. The close pairing will also be visible to the naked-eye.

A Voyager 2 image of Neptune's largest moon, Triton, in 1989.

Wild mission concepts would melt into icy moons, surf on sunlight to the ice giants, and more

By Briley Lewis published

From the nearby moon to distant Triton, planetary scientists have a plethora of ideas for how to explore our solar system.

virtual telescope project images of planets and stars in december 2022

See the rare 'planet parade' of 5 naked-eye planets in these photos by an astronomer

By Elizabeth Howell published

Clear skies beckoned Wednesday (Dec. 28) in Rome, allowing the Virtual Telescope Project's Gianluca Masi to get busy with a year-end broadcast.

An artist's illustration showing NASA's Cassini spacecraft flying through the plumes of the Saturn moon Enceladus' south pole.

Detecting life on Saturn moon Enceladus would require 100 flybys through its geyser plume, study suggests

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Detecting life on the icy Saturn moon of Enceladus could be achieved without even landing, but it wouldn't be easy, scientists say.

The Jamess Webb Space Telescope's view of the spectacular Phantom Galaxy

12 amazing James Webb Space Telescope discoveries across the universe

By Rebecca Sohn last updated

The James Webb Space Telescope is imaging the universe in unprecedented detail. Stunning photos showcase the observatory's pioneering work in deep space.

Sky map of the moon near Saturn on Dec. 26, 2022 in the southwestern sky.

See Saturn near the moon in a late Christmas gift in the night sky tonight (Dec. 26)

By Robert Lea published

The moon will visit Saturn for the last time of 2022 on Monday (Dec. 26) in a parting Christmas gift in a twilight conjunction that will disappear from view before night sets in.

This NASA sky map shows the locations of the moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus and Mars after sunset on Dec. 25, 2022.

See the moon and 4 planets align as Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury and Venus offer a rare night sky treat this week!

By Tariq Malik published

The Christmas moon lines up with four bright planets in a celestial holiday treat this week.

NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter on the Martian surface as seen by the Perseverance rover.

Space helicopters will help us explore Mars and other worlds. Here's how.

By Rebecca Sohn published

When NASA scientists were planning the Mars Perseverance mission, they decided to try something new: Instead of just sending a rover, they'd also send up a small helicopter.

Two views of Saturn's moon Titan captured by the James Webb Space Telescope's NIRCam instrument.

James Webb Space Telescope view of Saturn's weirdest moon Titan thrills scientists

By Meghan Bartels published

It's been a cloudy season for Saturn's largest moon, Titan.