Will Saturn’s rings really ‘disappear’ by 2025? An astronomer explains

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Will Saturn’s rings really ‘disappear’ by 2025? An astronomer explains

Quote

If you can get your hands on a telescope, there are few sights more spectacular than the magnificent ringed planet – Saturn.

Currently, Saturn is clearly visible in the evening sky, at its highest just after sunset. It’s the ideal time to use a telescope or binoculars to get a good view of the Solar System’s sixth planet and its famous rings.

But in the past few days, a slew of articles have run like wildfire through social media. Saturn’s rings, those articles claim, are rapidly disappearing – and will be gone by 2025!

Read More: ➡️ The Conversation

 

[Hankenhunter]

I remember this happening in 2009. Right now I'm watching "How the Universe Works", and they're featuring Venus. Coincidence? 🤔

[Alchopwn]

Oh noes !  Saturn's rings are disappearing and really credulous people are turning into baboons !

[Waspie_Dwarf]

11 hours ago, Alchopwn said:

Oh noes !  Saturn's rings are disappearing and really credulous people are turning into baboons !

Actually Saturn's rings are disappearing, and knowledgeable people know that they are relatively new and temporary structures (they weren't there when dinosaurs roamed the Earth). Still, they should last another 300 million years or so.

[Skulduggery]

Lol not this again. I am one of the unlucky ones to click on an article previously with the headline. Clickbait articles. The rings disappear because of the tilt but they don't literally disappear. From view.

 

However, the rings are deteriorating over time. These types of things happen. But nothing to lose sleep over. Jupiter's Great Red Spot changes size often and the Great Dark Spot on Neptune isn't there anymore but there are other dark spots. 

Edited November 20 by Skulduggery

[Skulduggery]

But definitely take any chance you get to look at Saturn through a telescope. 

Edited November 20 by Skulduggery

[NCC1701]

Didn't like those rings anyway.

[+joc]

On 11/11/2023 at 1:26 PM, Waspie_Dwarf said:

Actually Saturn's rings are disappearing, and knowledgeable people know that they are relatively new and temporary structures (they weren't there when dinosaurs roamed the Earth). Still, they should last another 300 million years or so.

The expanse of the Cosmos just boggles the mind.  The sun will hang around for like another 5 billion years, and then go through the dying star phase for another few billion years.  We really are a wisp of a half a breath in time.

[Sgt84801]

Saturn, your rings will be missed.

[Waspie_Dwarf]

1 hour ago, Sgt84801 said:

Saturn, your rings will be missed.

Yes, but not for another 300,000,000 years or so.

[Montello]

i hope no i cant imagine saturn without rings