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A day without rings on Saturn

Variation of the tilt of Saturn from 1996 to 2000.


Saturn's rings disappear for a day. The equinoxes occur every 15 years on Saturn. The influence of sunlight at an angle of 90 degrees away
rings on Earth
While there are two equinoxes each year, Saturn is seen only every 15. However, the phenomenon takes more relevant if we consider that changes the perspective of the rings making them disappear.

said Linda Spilker of NASA, the trick is in the strong sunlight, the swing axis of the planet, and the narrowness of the ring, despite having a diameter of more than 320,000 miles, has a width of just over 9 meters.

During equinox, the sunlight shining directly into the edge of the rings, disappearing from view due to their low thickness. Vanish.

This illusion allows astronomers a unique opportunity for the study. The influence of sunlight at an angle of 90 degrees are illuminated areas and created shadows that reveal structures and cavities never observed.

However, it is easy to observe. "The orbit of Saturn is so close to the sun that is extremely difficult even with the best telescopes," says Spilker. "Fortunately, we rely on the Cassini probe to see everything in the front row," he adds. Cassini probe to study Saturn, its rings and its moons for five years and has managed, among other things, measure the temperature of the inner and outer ring.

"Best of all, you do not know what we're going to find. Like a great magician, Saturn, never fails to impress," said NASA researcher.