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Space Station Info >> Rotational Behaviour Saturn
Rotational Behaviour Saturn
Since Saturn does not turn around
on its axis at a uniform rate, two rotation periods
have been assigned to it, like in Jupiter's case:
System I has a period of 10 h 14 min 00 s (844.3°/d)
and encompasses the Equatorial Zone, which extends
from the northern edge of the South Equatorial
Belt to the southern edge of the North Equatorial
Belt.
All other Saturnian latitudes have been
assigned a revolving period of 10 h 39 min
24 s (810.76°/d), which is System II.
System III, based on radio emissions from
the planet, has a period of 10 h 39 min 22.4
s (810.8°/d); because it is very secure
in value to System II, it has largely superseded
it. While approaching Saturn in 2004, the
Cassini spacecraft found that the radio rotation
period of Saturn had increased slightly, to
approximately 10 h 45 m 45 s (± 36
s). [2] The cause of the change is unknown. |
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Saturn is probably best famous
for its planetary rings, which make it one of
the most visually remarkable objects in the solar
system. See rings of Saturn for a list of the
planet's rings.
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