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Solar System
.1 min read

Propeller-Shaped Structures in Saturn's Rings

July 8, 2010
A propeller-shaped structure created by an unseen moon appears dark in this image obtained by NASA's Cassini spacecraft of the unilluminated side of Saturn's rings.
Credit: NASA/JPL/SSI

Scientists using NASA's Cassini spacecraft at Saturn have stalked a new class of moons in the rings of Saturn that create distinctive propeller-shaped gaps in ring material. Related news release: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=2664

A disturbance in Saturn's rings Sunlit Propeller

A propeller-shaped structure created by an unseen moon is brightly illuminated on the sunlit side of Saturn's rings in this image obtained by NASA's Cassini spacecraft. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/SSI

› Full image and caption
A propeller-shaped disturbance in Saturn's rings Tracking a Propeller

NASA's Cassini spacecraft captured a propeller-shaped disturbance in one of Saturn's rings created by a moon that is too small to be seen here. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/SSI

› Full image and caption A propeller-shaped disturbance in Saturn's rings Propeller from Unlit Side

A propeller-shaped structure created by an unseen moon appears dark in this image obtained by NASA's Cassini spacecraft of the unilluminated side of Saturn's rings. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/SSI

› Full image and caption Giant propeller in A ring Giant Propeller in A Ring

An unusually large propeller feature is detected just beyond the Encke Gap in this Cassini image of Saturn's outer A ring taken a couple days after the planet's August 2009 equinox. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute

› Full image and caption Enceladan tectonics Propeller Churns the A Ring

This movie created from images obtained by NASA's Cassini spacecraft shows a propeller-shaped structure created by a hidden, embedded moon moving through one of Saturn's rings. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/SSI

› Watch movie

2010-2663