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The rings of Saturn consist of countless small particles ranging in size from micrometers to meters orbiting Saturn. it was demonstrated by James Clerk Maxwell in 1859 that the rings could not be solid due to the fact they would become unstable and break apart. His theory of the rings being composed of small particles was proven in 1895 through spectroscopic studies.

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9y ago
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2d ago

The way the rings bend and flex as the moons of Saturn pass by suggest that they are not a solid mass. Additionally, measurements of the rings' density indicate that they are made up of small particles of ice and rock, rather than being a single continuous structure. Lastly, the gravitational interactions between the rings and Saturn's moons would be different if the rings were a solid mass.

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Q: What evidence suggests that Saturn's rings are not solid mass?
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Related questions

Are there gases in Saturns ring?

No, the components of Saturn's rings are in the solid state.


Can you sit on Saturns rings?

No. The rings of Saturn are not solid disks. They are belts of rocky and icy debris in orbit around the planet.


Are saturns rings soild?

Solid? As in a solid substance? Yes some fragments are as large as a mountain, others as fine as cigarette smoke, but solid not gas. The rings were once part of a moon.


Can you slide on Saturns rings?

Saturn's rings are not solid, but rather vast collections of individual pieces of dust, rocks, and ice. So no, even if you could get there, you wouldn't be able to slide on them.


Could you live on Saturns rings?

No. Saturns rings are made of small meteors. No one can live on meteors because they do not have atmospheres. So far the only planet that can hold life is Earth, because it's atmosphere was designed for humans to breath in it. Care bears do NOT live on Saturn's rings. Don't believe everything you see on tv. Also the only thing that has reached Saturn so far is a highly advanced Satellite.


What is saturns landscape like?

There is no landscape, Saturn is a gas planet with no solid surface.


Is Saturns surface rocky or flat?

Neither. Saturn is a gas giant. It does not have a solid surface.


What state of matter is a solid ice cube?

As the term solid ice cube suggests, it is a solid.


What evidence indicates that Saturn's rings are composed of individual moon-lets rather than consisting of solid disks?

Close up photographs (see Cellini space photos).


What proves that mars is alive?

Currently there is no proof or even strong evidence of life on Mars. Analysis of minerals has proven that there was once liquid water, and some chemical evidence suggests that there were once complex organic compounds. This means that Mars might have once supported life, but again, there is no solid evidence.


What is Saturns biggest crater?

There are no craters on Saturn, since it is a gaseous planet. It has no solid surface like that of the Earth or moon for example.


Are planetary rings solid?

Saturn's rings are made up of little rocks of a moon that never formed, because it was too close to the gravitation pull of Saturn. They are solid, in the sense that each of the little rocks do have mass, but, it's a great many little rocks, that form the rings. It's like a ring of small rocks, or pebbles, that surround Saturn. It's not like a phonograph record, or CD/DVD/Blu-ray that rotates around Saturn. It's like a whole bunch of small rocks travelling around Saturn in a circular orbit.