October 17, 2006
1 min read
Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAmSaturn: All Dressed Up
Saturn's northern hemisphere has developed a bizarre sequence of cloud clearings that resembles a string of pearls.
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Saturn's northern hemisphere has developed a bizarre sequence of cloud clearings that resembles a string of pearls. The Cassini spacecraft's visual and infrared spectrometer acquired the image, a snapshot of the planet's thermal glow. Stretching across 60,000 kilometers are more than 24 regularly spaced circular gaps in the clouds, which appear darker in the image because they trap more infrared light. This is the first such formation observed on the gaseous planet. Researchers plan to study it in hopes of better understanding Saturn's deep circulation system. If it extends all the way around the planet, it may represent a large planetary wave. A group reported the find last week at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society.
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
