solar system
planet (outer)
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Saturn, the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest (after Jupiter) in our Solar System.
Being a gas giant, the planet is composed of mostly hydrogen with some small amounts of helium. Saturn has a small core of rock and ice. It has an average radius about nine times that of Earth.
The yellow colour is caused by ammonia crystals in the upper atmosphere
The ring system is of course the most prominent feature of this planet, it is composed mostly of ice particles and can already be seen in a relatively small telescope.
At least 146 designated moons/satellites are known to orbit Saturn.
The largest moon is Titan which is actually the second largest moon in the Solar System and is even bigger than the planet Mercury.
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Image information:
Object info
Name: Saturn
Type: Planet (outer)
Constellation: n/a
Perihelion/Aphelion: 9.04 and 10.12 AU (1 AU = 149.6 million km)
Orbital period 29,45 yr
Equatorial radius 9.44 Earths
Mass 95.1 Earths
Eq. surface gravity 1.06 G
Sidereal rotation period 10h33m38s
Satellites 146 (designated) & innumerable small moonlets
Date & location
Date: December 4, 2004
Location: Landgraaf, The Netherlands
Equipment & optics
Total integration: 300 frames used from 60sec AVI
Camera: Philips ToUcam Pro II
Optics: GSO 10″ f5 Newton
Mount: OTE-150
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