According to a new study done by researchers from the Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence Institute (SETI), the rings around Saturn may be younger than the dinosaurs that once occupied Earth. The group of researchers used data that was collected by NASA Cassini mission. They created a computer model to analyze the orbits of Saturn's moon to figure out when each satellites was made. Saturn was first discovered in the 1600's with people believing that the rings had existed for as long as the planet had. This theory was tested in 2012 when French astronomers found out that the tidal effects to gravitational response on Saturn have a fluid interior. This possibly caused the rings (made of frozen water, other liquids, and rock) to spiral off the plant into its orbit. This hypothesis is being backed up due to the fact that the Saturn's inner moons were formed a mere 100 million years ago and dinosaurs lived on Earth 230-66 million years ago.
Opinion: If we are just now discovering that the rings around Saturn are younger than the dinosaurs after we discovered the planet in 1600, then there still may be different physical changes to the planet as well as other planets. Space is such a vast place that we know so little about. It will be interesting to see the discoveries we make in the future.
Questions:
1. What other testing do you think could be done to find out if Saturn's rings are younger than dinosaurs?
2. Do you think that the planet could still change in appearance? Why/How?
3. Do you think that any other planets with change in appearance or already have and we just haven't noticed or discovered?
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Replies
Well done Jacob!
I think that there could definitely be more changes since we are just now realizing how young the rings on Saturn are. I think other planets have changed and we haven't noticed because I think NASA is so focused on Mars that they may neglect the other planets. There also doesn't seem to be much interest in space now-a-days.
I agree, these if we are just realizing these changes, there is probably other things that we haven't noticed that have taken place.
I think if we are just finding this out now we will see much more change in the future and this will better our knowledge about this semi-new planet. I think the planet will continue to change and the human race will watch it change and document the changes. I think now that we know one planet changs that we will closely watch the others to see if and how they change.
I agree with you. I do also think that we will notice changes in other planets that we have not yet discovered. It'll be interesting the things that we find out with the help of advancing technology.
Scientists could take of sample of the rocks that make up the rings on Saturn and run tests to show their age. There's always a chance that the planet may change, but since it's been this long and it hasn't changed it may not. I believe that the planets have changed without us discovering it but it seems more unlikely since technology is evolving.
I don't think that we have technology that allows us to take the samples of the planet that is so far away yet. I agree with you that Saturn will change over time.