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The Solar System

Moons

What are some of the characteristics of Saturn’s moons?

Like Jupiter, Saturn has dozens of moons. Also like Jupiter, many of these are small moons that are likely to be asteroids captured in Saturn’s gravitational field. The larger ones, however, have fascinating characteristics. Mimas, the victim of a huge cratering collision long ago, looks almost exactly like the fictional “Death Star” space station from the Star Wars movies. Enceladus has geysers of frosty water shooting out from its surface, suggesting the presence of liquid water deep in its core. The most complex moon of Saturn, however—perhaps the most complex moon in the entire solar system—is Saturn’s largest moon, Titan.



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