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Introduction
No planet in the solar system is adorned like Saturn. ... Like Jupiter, Saturn is composed mostly of hydrogen. ... Saturn, the sixth planet from the Sun, has the most spectacular set of rings in the solar system. We now know that Saturn has 31 moons in addition to its complex ring system. Saturn is the second largest in the solar system with an equatorial diameter of 119,300 kilometers (74,130 miles). ... Saturn is visibly flattened at the poles, as a result of the very fast rotation of the planet on its axis. ... Motions in the interior of Saturn contribute in a very special way to the development of the powerful and extensive magnetosphere of Saturn. Heat generated within Saturn contributes to the unusual motions of the atmosphere. Saturns interior is hot (12000 K at the core) and Saturn radiates more energy into space than it receives from the Sun. ...
Atmosphere
The dramatic appearance of Saturn stems mainly from the spectacular rings. ... The clouds of Saturn are much less colorful than those of Jupiter. ... Saturn is the only planet less dense than water (about 30 percent less). In the unlikely event that a large enough ocean could be found, Saturn would float in it. Saturn, like Jupiter, is only a narrow surface layer, compared to the vast interior of Saturn. The three “clouddecks” of Saturn are to be found mostly low in the troposphere, while hazes of smog can be found higher in the atmosphere. Saturn is not much changed from its early evolution out of the primordial solar nebula, and in fact, may still be evolving. Motions in the cloud patterns indicate that, like Jupiter, the basic meteorology of Saturn can be described as a striped pattern of winds. The wind blows at high speeds on Saturn. ... The rings of Saturn affect the motion of particles in the magnetosphere, as well as keeping the plasmasphere small.
Approximate Word count = 1499
Approximate Pages = 6
(250 words per page double spaced)
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