1

Analytical Research Project: Saturn

Prepared for NASA

Prepared by:
Ayleen Escalante
Giselle Hernandez
Keyla Salas

May 11, 2017

Table of Contents
 2

Introduction3

Analysis of Geographical & physical Features .4, 5

Analysis of the Environment..................5, 6

Analytical of the Possibility of Human Habitation.....6, 7

Conclusion......7

References 8, 9

Introduction
 3

The Jewel of the Solar System, Saturn the sixth planet of our solar system, with all of it's

geographical and physical features along with its environment, has become a very unique and

interesting planet which has sparked

interest and curiosity among scientists.

Scientist have made many researches

which have yield new discoveries relating

to Saturn's features and characteristics.

Being the second largest planet of the

solar system, one of the notable

characteristics of Saturn are its rings. Moreover, scientists have identified incredible differences

between Earth and Saturn. Due to Saturns components and position in the solar system, Saturns

environment is totally different to Earths environment. Due to the difference of environment,

geographical, and physical features between Earth and Saturn scientists have conclude that it is

impossible for humans to habitat Saturn in the near future. However, scientists are studying the

possibility of human habitation in Titian one of Saturns 62 moons. To sum it all up, Saturn also

known as the Jewel of the Solar System has geographical and physical features, and an

environment that gives the planet its uniqueness. Saturn has spark interest in scientific research

that has led to the conclusion that human habitation is impossible in the near future however,

there is a slight opportunity for human habitation in Titan one of Saturn's moons.

Analysis of Geographical & Physical Features

 4

Saturn has unique geographical and physical features which gives Saturn specific

characteristics. Saturn is the sixth and second the largest planet of our solar system, with the size

of approximately nine times greater than earth. Saturn is a gas giant, meaning that it is a large

planet which is mostly composed of gases. In our solar system, they are four gas giants which

include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. According to Fortney, in his article The Interior

Structure, Composition, and Evolution of Giant Planets Saturn is mainly composed of two

different gases which are hydrogen and helium (2010). Both Saturn and Jupiter combined make

up about 92% of the planetary mass of the solar system (Fortney, 2010). Moreover, in the article

On Saturns Rotation to a Center of Mass Under the Action of Gravitational Moments of the Sun

and Jupiter, Krasilnikov and Amelin explain, that Saturn and Jupiter share a variety of factors,

one factor they share is that the rotations and motions of Saturn and Jupiter cause an elliptic

motion between both planets (2016). It is surprising to know that Saturn in fact has 62 moons in

orbit. The largest of Saturns moons is Titan being similar in size to Mercury (Krasilnikov, 2016).

According to Xianzhe, in the article Magnetic Fields of the Satellites of Jupiter and Saturn.

Space Science Reviews, all of Saturns moons stay in orbit thanks to the planets magnetic field

and gravitational force (2010). Saturn is widely attributed for its large and beautiful rings.

According to NASA, on the article Saturn Rings, the rings of Saturn are named alphabetically in

the order they are discovered. Saturns rings are composed of dust, rocks, and ice which is

accumulated from its moons nearby planets, and passing comets (Saturn: Rings). As stated by

Rehnberg in his article A Traveling Future in Saturns Rings, Saturn's ring systems are the most

massive, extensive and diverse of all ring systems in our Solar System (2016). Rehnberg

mentions the fact that many of the processes that occur with Saturns ring are influenced by the

gravitational force exerted by Saturn's moons orbits (2016). Finally, Saturn and Earth are very
 5

different from each other, Dr. David R. William identifies the major differences between these

two planets in Saturn/Earth Comparison, he states the fact that Saturn has a density of 687

kg/m3 whereas Earth has a much greater density of 5,514 kg/m3. Another major difference

between Saturn and Earth is that Saturn possess of a planetary ring system compared to Earth

that does not have a planetary (Saturn/Earth Comparison). Overall, Saturn has unique

geographical and physical features which gives Saturn its special characteristics.

Analysis of the Environment

Saturn is a planet that is made out of

gas, therefore, scientists often wonder what

the environment is like there compared to

earth. As scientists researched the

environment, they made some interesting

discoveries. According to PlanetFacts.com, it

was discovered that Saturns atmosphere is

made up of molecular hydrogen (96.3%),

helium (3.25%), and other elements (0.45% ).

While Earth atmosphere is made up of

Nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), and other gases (1%). Saturn is also known to have the fastest

wind in the solar system that can go up to 500 m/s. The climate on Saturn is minus 288 degrees

fahrenheit. On earth the climate is increasing to global warming. According to Redd, Saturns

temperature variation is horizontal. This is due to heat coming from the interior of the planet

rather than the sun. On Earth there is no universally accepted average temperature. Since we
 6

cleared up the differences, let's go into the similarities between Earth and Saturn. It has been

verified that Saturn and Earth both have equators and poles. Both planets also have,

approximately, the same amount of gravitational pull.

Analysis of the Possibility of Human Habitation

Now here is the question everyone's asking, is it possible for human habitation in Saturn?

Saturn often has winds of 225 miles per hour. With winds this strong it would definitely be a

struggle to being able to live on this planet. The average

temperature is somewhere around -225 degrees to +80

degrees. Although the temperature at 80 degrees can seem

decent, the amount of gravity and high pressure would make

living in Saturn unbearable.

Not only would gravity become an obstacle for

human habitation in Saturn but there are other potential

environmental dangers such as cloud decks. According to the

Oxford dictionary a cloud deck is A bank of clouds of a

particular type forming a layer at a certain altitude." In this

case Saturn is known for having about three cloud decks

made of ammonia hydrosulfide and ammonia.

Saturn itself is not the safest planet for human

habitation however scientists are still investigating whether

life in space is possible. One of the possibilities scientists

might consider for human habitation is humans living in

 7

Titan, one of the moons of Saturn. Titan has one of the least hostile environments for humans in

outer space. Titan has no water however it does have liquid methane lakes, allowing scientists to

wonder if there is life living on Titan through methane. According to Space.com on the article

Living on Titan ExplainedGravityonTitanisabout14percentthatofEarth,orjustabit

weakerthanthegravityofEarthsmoon.(2015.)Thistypeofinformationforscientistsprovides

abitofhopeforhumanhabitationinouterspace.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Jewel of the solar system, Saturn, has sparked interest among scientists

for its unique geographical and physical features. One of the most notorious characteristics of

Saturn is its rings. Saturn has a total of 65 rings and scientists are still discovering more. Saturn

is the second largest planet in our solar system. Moreover, Saturn has very distinguishable

characteristics compared to Earth. Both Earth and Saturn have very different components such as

the environments. Therefore, allowing scientists to come to the conclusion that it is impossible

for human habitation on Saturn. However, scientists are still researching whether Titan, Saturns

largest moon could be considered for human habitation in the future. Moreover, Saturn the Jewel

of the solar system is distinguished for its unique components and its natural beauty.

References
 8

Cain, F. (2017, May 4). universetoday. Retrieved from SATURN COMPARED TO EARTH:

https://www.universetoday.com/24161/saturn-compared-to-earth/

Earth's Atmosphere. (n.d.). Retrieved from Windows To The Universe:

http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Atmosphere/overview.html

Fortney, J. J., & Nettelmann, N. (2010). The Interior Structure, Composition, and Evolution of

Giant Planets. Space Science Reviews, 152(1-4), 423-447. doi:10.1007/s11214-009-

9582-x

Guillot, T. (1999). Interiors of Giant Planets Inside and Outside the Solar System. Science,

286(5437), 72.

Krasilnikov, P., & Amelin, R. (2016). On Saturn's rotation relative to a center of mass under the

action of the gravitational moments of the Sun and Jupiter. Cosmic Research, 54(2), 127-

133. doi:10.1134/S0010952516020027

Redd, N. T. (2012, November 14). Saturn's Temperature: One Cold Planet. Retrieved from

Space: http://www.space.com/18473-saturn-temperature.html

Rehnberg, M. E., Esposito, L. W., Brown, Z. L., Albers, N., Sremevi, M., & Stewart, G. R.

(2016). A traveling feature in Saturns rings. Icarus, 279100-108.

doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2016.06.012

Saturn/Earth Comparison. (n.d.). Retrieved from Saturn Fact Sheet:

https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/saturnfact.html

Saturn: Rings. (n.d.). Retrieved from solarsystem:

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/saturn/rings
 9

Tate, K. (2015, March 12). How Humans Could Live on Saturn's Moon Titan (Infographic).

Retrieved from space: http://www.space.com/28788-living-on-titan-saturn-explained-

infographic.html

The Atmosphere of Saturn. (n.d.). Retrieved from Planet Facts: http://planetfacts.org/the-

atmosphere-of-saturn/

The Environment of Saturn. (n.d.). Retrieved from Windows to the Universe:

http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Life/S_environment.htm

What is the Average Global Temperature Now? (n.d.). Retrieved from Atmos News:

https://www2.ucar.edu/climate/faq/what-average-global-temperature-now

Xianzhe, J., Kivelson, M. G., Khurana, K. K., & Walker, R. J. (2010). Magnetic Fields of the

Satellites of Jupiter and Saturn. Space Science Reviews, 152(1-4), 271-305.

doi:10.1007/s11214-009-9507-8

Zhang, Z., Hayes, A., Janssen, M., Nicholson, P., Cuzzi, J., de Pater, I., & ... Hedman, M. (2017).

Cassini microwave observations provide clues to the origin of Saturn's C ring. Icarus,

281297-321. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2016.07.020