Saturn’s Rings are Made of a Broken-Up Moon

Scientists have used computer modeling to determine that Saturn’s rings were created by the interactions of a now-destroyed moon with Titan.

IMAGE: The full set of rings, imaged as Saturn eclipsed the Sun from the vantage of the Cassini orbiter, 1.2 million km distant, on 19 July 2013 (brightness is exaggerated). Earth appears as a dot at 4 o’clock, between the G and E rings. CREDIT: NASA / JPL-Caltech / Space Science Institute

Ask almost any astronomer, professional or amateur, what got them interested in space and almost every one of them will have a story about the first time…