answersLogoWhite

0


Period of Saturn's Rotation (its day)

The latest available data suggests that the equatorial rotation period of Saturn is between about 10.2 and 10.6 Earth hours. It cannot be observed directly because of the thick atmosphere, which rotates at varying speeds depending on latitude. The slowest roation is near the poles and the fastest at the equator.

The "average" rotation estimates of 10 hours, 32 minutes (or 10 hours, 34 minutes) come from measurement of changes in the planet's magnetic field, which is disrupted by shifts in the plasma stream around the planet.

Other sources may report the day length as only 10 hours, 14 minutes, because the clouds at Saturn's equator spin faster than the planet as a whole.

Saturn's average rotational period is reported to be 10hr 34min.
Awesome question : Saturn rotates every 10 hrs 32 minutes. That's pretty fast - especially for how big it is. Because of this fast rotation, Saturn is a little flatter at the poles. It's sides bulge out because it spins so fast.

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

What else can I help you with?