Why does saturn have rings?

An image of Saturn taken by the Cassini spacecraft. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute. Scientists have ideas about why Saturn has rings, but no one knows for sure. read more

An image of Saturn taken by the Cassini spacecraft. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute Scientists have ideas about why Saturn has rings, but no one knows for sure. read more

The simplest answer as to why Saturn has rings and what they are made of is that the planet has accumulated a great deal of dust, particles, and ice at varying distances from its surface. These items are most likely trapped by gravity. read more

Since first entering the field of view of Galileo's telescope in 1610, Saturn's rings have evoked a sense of mystery. For four centuries, astronomers have contemplated them, but none of their attempts to explain why the rings exist have ever seemed quite right. read more