Astronomers have discovered a new atmospheric feature on Saturn near its south pole: a decagon, or 10-sided shape, captured by the Hubble Space Telescope. This joins the planet’s well-known hexagon at the north pole, first seen 44 years ago. Unlike solid structures, these shapes are formed by unusual cloud patterns. Each side of the decagon is about 16,800 kilometers long, with a nearby jet stream reaching speeds of 260 miles per hour. Despite this, the decagon itself moves slowly. The feature appears to have formed recently, as previous missions couldn’t detect it due to Saturn’s tilt. Ground-based observations hinted at its presence, and by 2025, the decagon was clearly defined. Scientists are still exploring how these structures form, with theories suggesting they are atmospheric waves shaped by jet streams.
QUESTION: Why do you think scientists are so interested in studying these unusual cloud patterns on Saturn?
What the Heck? Another Perfect Geometric Shape Has Been Detected on Saturn
