Saturn is the sixth planet in the Solar System. It is a gas giant, the second largest of the system's four gas giants after Jupiter, and is known for its prominent system of rings. These rings consist mostly of ice particles along with a smaller amount of rocky debris and dust. Saturn has 61 known moons, not counting hundreds of "moonlets" orbiting within the rings. The largest moon, Titan, is the second largest in the Solar System (after Jupiter's Ganymede) and is one of two to be larger than the system's smallest planet, Mercury.
Saturn is named after the Roman god Saturn (that became the namesake of Saturday), equated to the Greek Kronos (the Titan father of Zeus), the Babylonian Ninurta, and the Hindu Shani. Saturn's symbol represents the god's sickle.
The planet Saturn is composed of hydrogen, with small proportions of helium and trace elements. The interior consists of a small core of rock and ice, surrounded by a thick layer of metallic hydrogen and a gaseous outer layer. The outer atmosphere is generally bland in appearance, although long-lived features can appear. Wind speeds on Saturn can reach 1,800km/h, significantly faster than those on Jupiter. Saturn has a planetary magnetic field intermediate in strength between that of Earth and the more powerful field around Jupiter.
Appearances[]
- Aliens: Steel Egg
- Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem Unrated Edition
- Alien vs. Predator: Armageddon
- Alien: Isolation (novel) (mentioned only)