SCIENTIFIC FACT SHEET · GAS GIANT
Saturn
Saturn's rings contain countless pieces of ice and rock. Around it, Titan has a dense atmosphere and Enceladus ejects water from its subsurface ocean into space.
The ringed giant
Values are rounded for readability. The figures and 3D representation are explained in the Method section.
Composition and interior
Saturn consists mainly of hydrogen and helium. Its interior is thought to contain layers of liquid and metallic hydrogen around a core rich in heavier materials.
Atmosphere and environment
Its rings contain billions of pieces of ice and rock, ranging from tiny grains to blocks several metres across. A hexagonal atmospheric jet stream surrounds its north pole.
Exploration
Cassini-Huygens studied Saturn, its rings and its moons from 2004 to 2017. The Huygens probe landed on Titan, revealing a world shaped by hydrocarbon rivers and lakes.
A remarkable fact
Titan has a dense atmosphere. Enceladus ejects plumes of water vapour and ice from a subsurface ocean, making it a major target in the search for habitable environments.
THE ESSENTIALS
Three things to remember about Saturn
- Its rings consist mostly of ice.
- Titan is surrounded by a dense atmosphere.
- Enceladus hides an ocean beneath its icy crust.