New Delhi, India
Scientists believed that Saturn did not always have rings and they had been created more than 100 to 400 million years ago. 
Now in a new study, researchers from the French National Centre for Scientific Research and the Institute of Science Tokyo have found that the rings of Saturn may not have been ancient but as old as the Solar System.
"Data from the Cassini spacecraft suggested the rings might be young because they appear so clean, and many people simply accepted that conclusion. However, our theoretical work now shows that a clean appearance does not necessarily mean the rings are young," said planetary scientist Ryuki Hyodo of the Institute of Science Tokyo, while speaking to ScienceAlert.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-warns-asteroids-2024-xy5-and-2024-xb6-race-toward-earth-but-are-they-really-a-threat-784185">NASA warns, asteroids 2024 XY5 and 2024 XB6 race toward Earth — but are they really a threat?</a>
"So, I think this is an important insight for guiding future planetary exploration missions; you better not be fooled by its first glance," he added. 
<h2>Saturn and its rings</h2>
In the Solar System, other giant planets also have rings, but they are not as majestic as that of Saturn.
The ethereal rings are present around Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune, however, they are not visible till seen from the right wavelengths.
However, in the case of Saturn, its extensive rings define the planet. There is a high possibility that the rings could be a common phenomenon outside the Solar System because there are a large number of gas giant exoplanets present in the universe. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/jeff-bezos-will-spend-100000000000-on-a-new-space-station-that-will-also-host-tourists-781639">Jeff Bezos will spend $100,000,000,000 on a new space station that will also host tourists</a>
If the rings of Saturn are relatively short-lived, they will last only a few hundred million years before they collapse. 
However, if the rings of Saturn exist for a longer duration, they will not have any implications on the Solar System. 
Scientists had assumed that the age of Saturn's rings is less on the basis of the absence of dust because of high-speed meteoroids' constant bombardment which slammed the ice and converted them to rings. 
(With inputs from agencies)

The age of Saturn's rings was assumed on the basis of the absence of dust which happened because of constant bombardment of high-speed meteoroids which slammed the ice and converted them to rings



New Delhi, India Scientists believed that Saturn did not always have rings and they had been created more than 100 to 400 million years ago. Now in a new study, researchers from the French National Centre for Scientific Research and the Institute of Science Tokyo have found that the rings of Saturn may not have been ancient but as old as the Solar System. "Data from the Cassini spacecraft suggested the rings might be young because they appear so clean, and many people simply accepted that conclusion. However, our theoretical work now shows that a clean appearance does not necessarily mean the rings are young," said planetary scientist Ryuki Hyodo of the Institute of Science Tokyo, while speaking to ScienceAlert. Also Read: NASA warns, asteroids 2024 XY5 and 2024 XB6 race toward Earth — but are they really a threat? "So, I think this is an important insight for guiding future planetary exploration missions; you better not be fooled by its first glance," he added. Saturn and its rings In the Solar System, other giant planets also have rings, but they are not as majestic as that of Saturn. The ethereal rings are present around Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune, however, they are not visible till seen from the right wavelengths. However, in the case of Saturn, its extensive rings define the planet. There is a high possibility that the rings could be a common phenomenon outside the Solar System because there are a large number of gas giant exoplanets present in the universe. Also Read: Jeff Bezos will spend $100,000,000,000 on a new space station that will also host tourists If the rings of Saturn are relatively short-lived, they will last only a few hundred million years before they collapse. However, if the rings of Saturn exist for a longer duration, they will not have any implications on the Solar System. Scientists had assumed that the age of Saturn's rings is less on the basis of the absence of dust because of high-speed meteoroids' constant bombardment which slammed the ice and converted them to rings. (With inputs from agencies)

Saturn's rings may have existed since the Solar System was created: Study

Scientists believed that Saturn did not always have rings and they had been created more than&nbsp;100 to 400 million years ago.&nbsp;

Now in a new study, researchers from the French National Centre for Scientific Research&nbsp;and the Institute of Science Tokyo have found that the rings of Saturn may not have been ancient but as old as the Solar System.

"Data from the Cassini spacecraft suggested the rings might be young because they appear so clean, and many people simply accepted that conclusion. However, our theoretical work now shows that a clean appearance does not necessarily mean the rings are young," said planetary scientist&nbsp;Ryuki&nbsp;Hyodo of the Institute of Science Tokyo, while speaking to ScienceAlert.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-warns-asteroids-2024-xy5-and-2024-xb6-race-toward-earth-but-are-they-really-a-threat-784185">NASA warns, asteroids 2024 XY5 and 2024 XB6 race toward Earth — but are they really a threat?</a>

"So, I think this is an important insight for guiding future planetary exploration missions; you better not be fooled by its first glance," he added.&nbsp;

<h2>Saturn and its rings</h2>

In the Solar System, other giant planets also have rings, but they are not as majestic as that of Saturn.

The ethereal rings are present around Jupiter,&nbsp;Uranus, and Neptune, however, they are not visible till seen from the right wavelengths.

However, in the case of Saturn, its extensive rings define the planet. There is a high possibility that the rings could be a common phenomenon outside the Solar System because there are a large number of gas giant exoplanets present in the universe.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/jeff-bezos-will-spend-100000000000-on-a-new-space-station-that-will-also-host-tourists-781639">Jeff Bezos will spend $100,000,000,000 on a new space station that will also host tourists</a>

If the rings of Saturn are relatively short-lived, they will last only a few hundred million years&nbsp;before they collapse.&nbsp;

However, if the rings of Saturn exist for a longer duration, they will not have any implications on the Solar System.&nbsp;

Scientists had assumed that the age of Saturn's rings is less on the basis of the absence of dust because of high-speed meteoroids' constant bombardment which slammed the ice and converted them to rings.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists believed that Saturn did not always have rings and they had been created more than 100 to 400 million years ago. Now in a new study, researchers from the French National Centre for Scientific Research and the Institute of Science Tokyo have found that the rings of Saturn may not have been ancient but as old as the Solar System.

Scientists believed that Saturn did not always have rings and they had been created more than 100 to 400 million years ago. Now in a new study, researchers from the French National Centre for Scientific Research and the Institute of Science Tokyo have found that the rings of Saturn may not have been ancient but as old as the Solar System. "Data from the Cassini spacecraft suggested the rings might be young because they appear so clean, and many people simply accepted that conclusion. However, our theoretical work now shows that a clean appearance does not necessarily mean the rings are young," said planetary scientist Ryuki Hyodo of the Institute of Science Tokyo, while speaking to ScienceAlert. Also Read: NASA warns, asteroids 2024 XY5 and 2024 XB6 race toward Earth — but are they really a threat? "So, I think this is an important insight for guiding future planetary exploration missions; you better not be fooled by its first glance," he added. Saturn and its rings In the Solar System, other giant planets also have rings, but they are not as majestic as that of Saturn. The ethereal rings are present around Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune, however, they are not visible till seen from the right wavelengths. However, in the case of Saturn, its extensive rings define the planet. There is a high possibility that the rings could be a common phenomenon outside the Solar System because there are a large number of gas giant exoplanets present in the universe. Also Read: Jeff Bezos will spend $100,000,000,000 on a new space station that will also host tourists If the rings of Saturn are relatively short-lived, they will last only a few hundred million years before they collapse. However, if the rings of Saturn exist for a longer duration, they will not have any implications on the Solar System. Scientists had assumed that the age of Saturn's rings is less on the basis of the absence of dust because of high-speed meteoroids' constant bombardment which slammed the ice and converted them to rings. (With inputs from agencies)

Earth may have had a ring system that came into existence around 466 million years ago, a new study has suggested. This was the period when our planet was bombarded with unusually intense meteorites known as the Ordovician impact spike.&nbsp;

The theory has been published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters. It is based on the positions of 21 asteroid impact craters and plate tectonic reconstructions for the Ordovician period.

Researchers cite the place where the craters exist on Earth to suggest that the planet once likely had a ring, just like Saturn. All of the craters studied are located within 30 degrees of the equator. However, this is considered an anomaly since more than 70 per cent of Earth's continental crust is outside this region.

They believe the reason for this localised impact pattern was a large asteroid which once might have flown by extremely close to Earth. When this happened, it passed within Earth's Roche limit, breaking apart due to tidal forces. This, they say, might have formed a debris ring around the planet, similar to Saturn's rings and those of other gas giants.&nbsp;

When these meteorites fell on Earth, they likely created the craters now seen in the region.

"Over millions of years, material from this ring gradually fell to Earth, creating the spike in meteorite impacts observed in the geological record," lead study author Professor Andy Tomkins, from Monash University's School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, said.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/collision-of-asteroids-created-cosmic-dust-and-sparked-life-on-earth-study-758856">Collision of asteroids created cosmic dust and sparked life on Earth: Study</a>

"We also see that layers in sedimentary rocks from this period contain extraordinary amounts of meteorite debris."

This ring might have also impacted our planet's climate which would have cast a shadow, and blocked the sunlight, thus cooling down the environment. This significant global cooling event was known as the "Hirnantian Icehouse."

"The idea that a ring system could have influenced global temperatures adds a new layer of complexity to our understanding of how extra-terrestrial events may have shaped Earth's climate," Professor Tomkins said.

Having occurred near the end of the Ordovician, this period is one of the coldest witnessed in the last 500 million years of Earth's history.

The latest discovery also leads astronomers to think whether Earth could have these rings more than once in its lifetime.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Earth may have had a ring system that came into existence around 466 million years ago, a new study has suggested. This was the period when our planet was bombarded with unusually intense meteorites known as the Ordovician impact spike.

Earth may have had a ring system that came into existence around 466 million years ago, a new study has suggested. This was the period when our planet was bombarded with unusually intense meteorites known as the Ordovician impact spike. The theory has been published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters. It is based on the positions of 21 asteroid impact craters and plate tectonic reconstructions for the Ordovician period. Researchers cite the place where the craters exist on Earth to suggest that the planet once likely had a ring, just like Saturn. All of the craters studied are located within 30 degrees of the equator. However, this is considered an anomaly since more than 70 per cent of Earth's continental crust is outside this region. They believe the reason for this localised impact pattern was a large asteroid which once might have flown by extremely close to Earth. When this happened, it passed within Earth's Roche limit, breaking apart due to tidal forces. This, they say, might have formed a debris ring around the planet, similar to Saturn's rings and those of other gas giants. When these meteorites fell on Earth, they likely created the craters now seen in the region. "Over millions of years, material from this ring gradually fell to Earth, creating the spike in meteorite impacts observed in the geological record," lead study author Professor Andy Tomkins, from Monash University's School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, said. Also Read: Collision of asteroids created cosmic dust and sparked life on Earth: Study "We also see that layers in sedimentary rocks from this period contain extraordinary amounts of meteorite debris." This ring might have also impacted our planet's climate which would have cast a shadow, and blocked the sunlight, thus cooling down the environment. This significant global cooling event was known as the "Hirnantian Icehouse." "The idea that a ring system could have influenced global temperatures adds a new layer of complexity to our understanding of how extra-terrestrial events may have shaped Earth's climate," Professor Tomkins said. Having occurred near the end of the Ordovician, this period is one of the coldest witnessed in the last 500 million years of Earth's history. The latest discovery also leads astronomers to think whether Earth could have these rings more than once in its lifetime.

Earth likely had a ring around it 466 million years ago. It was created by...

The archaeologists have uncovered human remains from a 1,000-year-old cemetery which were ceremonially adorned with rings around their necks and buckets on their feet, ScienceAlert reported.&nbsp;

The mass grave, which had more than 107 skeletons, was discovered by archaeologists in what was believed to have been a pagan-era cemetery which is located near Kyiv, Ukraine.

The mysterious burial site gives a glimpse into the Dark Ages which is the period of 1,000 years in European history between the Roman Empire's fall and the Italian Renaissance's beginning.&nbsp;

In the grave, the researchers have found axes, swords, spears, jewellery, bracelets, and food remains like eggshells and chicken bones alongside the long-forgotten people's bones.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/debate-settled-teenage-t-rex-skulls-belonged-to-different-dinosaur-species-676161">Debate settled: Teenage T. Rex skulls unearthed in 1942 belonged to a different dinosaur species</a>

Vsevolod Ivakin and Vyacheslav Baranov, the two researchers who headed the excavation, said that the weapons as typical for Kyivan Rus, which is a medieval political federation in northeastern Europe and modern-day Belarus.&nbsp;

A stone altar, which was discovered at the site, was used for pagan or early Christian rituals.

<h2>Findings narrate religious shift in Ukrainian history</h2>

The findings of the research were presented by Ivakin and Baranov presented their findings at the Archaeological Institute of America's annual meeting held in Chicago in early January, reported Live Science.

The researchers stated that the graveyard was filled with male and female skeletons, however, only females were adorned with elaborate neck rings, which "were apparently a kind of social marker," said Ivakin and Baranov.

Watch:&nbsp;Roman triumphal arch unearthed by Serbian archaeologists

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/roman-triumphal-arch-unearthed-by-serbian-archaeologists-683150/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The wooden buckets present on the skeleton's feet were found in a few of the male graves - which are likely to have been part of funerary rituals – are reminiscent of 11th-century Pomeranian and Masovian inhumation cemeteries of military elites and Prussian cremation, reported the Independent.

Few of the artefacts are similar to those which were uncovered in the Baltics, reported Live Science. Volodymyr the Great, who had converted to Christianity around 987, had ruled territories which had extended to the Baltics.

The findings narrate the religious shift in Ukrainian history and Christianity's arrival in Eastern Europe.

Speaking to Business Insider, Baranov claimed that the findings go back to the late Viking Age, a period when Ukraine was involved in common North European processes.

He stated that the findings "correspond well with the pan-European historical processes in Europe, and once again show the importance of studying the pan-European history as a whole and European peoples in the general context."

(With inputs from agencies)

The archaeologists have uncovered human remains from a 1,000-year-old cemetery which were ceremonially adorned with rings around their necks and buckets on their feet, ScienceAlert reported.

The archaeologists have uncovered human remains from a 1,000-year-old cemetery which were ceremonially adorned with rings around their necks and buckets on their feet, ScienceAlert reported. The mass grave, which had more than 107 skeletons, was discovered by archaeologists in what was believed to have been a pagan-era cemetery which is located near Kyiv, Ukraine. The mysterious burial site gives a glimpse into the Dark Ages which is the period of 1,000 years in European history between the Roman Empire's fall and the Italian Renaissance's beginning. In the grave, the researchers have found axes, swords, spears, jewellery, bracelets, and food remains like eggshells and chicken bones alongside the long-forgotten people's bones. Also read: Debate settled: Teenage T. Rex skulls unearthed in 1942 belonged to a different dinosaur species Vsevolod Ivakin and Vyacheslav Baranov, the two researchers who headed the excavation, said that the weapons as typical for Kyivan Rus, which is a medieval political federation in northeastern Europe and modern-day Belarus. A stone altar, which was discovered at the site, was used for pagan or early Christian rituals. Findings narrate religious shift in Ukrainian history The findings of the research were presented by Ivakin and Baranov presented their findings at the Archaeological Institute of America's annual meeting held in Chicago in early January, reported Live Science. The researchers stated that the graveyard was filled with male and female skeletons, however, only females were adorned with elaborate neck rings, which "were apparently a kind of social marker," said Ivakin and Baranov. Watch: Roman triumphal arch unearthed by Serbian archaeologists The wooden buckets present on the skeleton's feet were found in a few of the male graves - which are likely to have been part of funerary rituals – are reminiscent of 11th-century Pomeranian and Masovian inhumation cemeteries of military elites and Prussian cremation, reported the Independent. Few of the artefacts are similar to those which were uncovered in the Baltics, reported Live Science. Volodymyr the Great, who had converted to Christianity around 987, had ruled territories which had extended to the Baltics. The findings narrate the religious shift in Ukrainian history and Christianity's arrival in Eastern Europe. Speaking to Business Insider, Baranov claimed that the findings go back to the late Viking Age, a period when Ukraine was involved in common North European processes. He stated that the findings "correspond well with the pan-European historical processes in Europe, and once again show the importance of studying the pan-European history as a whole and European peoples in the general context." (With inputs from agencies)

Human skeletons with buckets on feet, rings around necks provide glimpse into Dark Ages

Saturn's rings will seemingly disappear from view in 2025, a phenomenon caused by the planet's rotation on an axis.

Saturn's rings will vanish in just 18 months

The fascinating rings of Saturn, which makes it different from the rest of the planets in a milky way, may become a thing of the past as these rings are now disappearing.&nbsp;

Saturn, nearly 1.5 billion kilometres away from Earth, has always mesmerised astronomers with its beautiful rings, making the planet not only a humongous size but also nine times wider than Earth.&nbsp;

However, the rings are now in danger and disappearing slowly. Researchers stated that Saturn's rings are made up of large pieces of ice which are now eroding and added that they find it difficult to predict how long the rings will last.&nbsp;

The ice chunks from rings have been falling as icy rain on the planet because of the intense gravity of Saturn. The downpour is now happening at such a high rate that water, which can fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool, rains daily on the gas giant.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/discovery-of-saturn-like-ring-around-trans-neptunian-object-quaoar-amazes-astronomers-560149">Discovery of Saturn-like ring around trans-Neptunian object Quaoar amazes astronomers</a>

This is leading to thinning of mysterious rings circling the planet which has left the astronomers amazed.&nbsp;

“We’re still trying to figure out exactly how fast they are eroding," Dr James O’Donoghue, who is heading the research into the disappearing rings of Saturn, said in a statement.

While mostly it is believed that the rings were a part of the planet from the start, it is not actually correct. The rings around Saturn are only 100 million years old which although looks like a long time on a cosmic scale, is not very long.&nbsp;

Scientists are now studying to understand the future of the rings around Saturn.&nbsp;

Although research suggests that the rings may disappear in another 100 million years, Dr James O’Donoghue calls it a "quick death."

WATCH | NASA mission to Saturn's moon Titan may unravel secrets behind origin of life

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasa-mission-to-saturns-moon-titan-may-unravel-secrets-behind-origin-of-life-574725/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“Currently, research suggests the rings will only be part of Saturn for another few hundred million years. This may sound like a long time, but in the history of the universe, this is a relatively quick death. We could be very lucky to be around at a time when the rings exist," O’Donoghue stated.&nbsp;

The team has been making efforts to get the James Webb Space Telescope which will help them delve deeper into the mystery of the rings of Saturn.&nbsp;

Studies suggest that the rings are pieces of asteroids, comets or shattered moons which broke up before reaching the planet as they were crushed by the strong gravity of the planet. "The ring particles mostly range from tiny, dust-sized icy grains to chunks as big as a house. A few particles are as large as mountains," stated NASA.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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The fascinating rings of Saturn, which makes it different from the rest of the planets in a milky way, may become a thing of the past as these rings are now disappearing.

The fascinating rings of Saturn, which makes it different from the rest of the planets in a milky way, may become a thing of the past as these rings are now disappearing. Saturn, nearly 1.5 billion kilometres away from Earth, has always mesmerised astronomers with its beautiful rings, making the planet not only a humongous size but also nine times wider than Earth. However, the rings are now in danger and disappearing slowly. Researchers stated that Saturn's rings are made up of large pieces of ice which are now eroding and added that they find it difficult to predict how long the rings will last. The ice chunks from rings have been falling as icy rain on the planet because of the intense gravity of Saturn. The downpour is now happening at such a high rate that water, which can fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool, rains daily on the gas giant. ALSO READ | Discovery of Saturn-like ring around trans-Neptunian object Quaoar amazes astronomers This is leading to thinning of mysterious rings circling the planet which has left the astronomers amazed. “We’re still trying to figure out exactly how fast they are eroding," Dr James O’Donoghue, who is heading the research into the disappearing rings of Saturn, said in a statement. While mostly it is believed that the rings were a part of the planet from the start, it is not actually correct. The rings around Saturn are only 100 million years old which although looks like a long time on a cosmic scale, is not very long. Scientists are now studying to understand the future of the rings around Saturn. Although research suggests that the rings may disappear in another 100 million years, Dr James O’Donoghue calls it a "quick death." WATCH | NASA mission to Saturn's moon Titan may unravel secrets behind origin of life “Currently, research suggests the rings will only be part of Saturn for another few hundred million years. This may sound like a long time, but in the history of the universe, this is a relatively quick death. We could be very lucky to be around at a time when the rings exist," O’Donoghue stated. The team has been making efforts to get the James Webb Space Telescope which will help them delve deeper into the mystery of the rings of Saturn. Studies suggest that the rings are pieces of asteroids, comets or shattered moons which broke up before reaching the planet as they were crushed by the strong gravity of the planet. "The ring particles mostly range from tiny, dust-sized icy grains to chunks as big as a house. A few particles are as large as mountains," stated NASA. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Saturn’s mesmerising rings vanishing, further aggravate its cosmic identity crisis

Saturn sure makes for a grand view in the night sky. After all, it is the only planet in our solar system with easily visible majestic rings. If you have seen Saturn through an everyday telescope, it's hard to miss the mesmerising beauty of the planet.

Saturn's rings are made of rock, ice and dust. It is estimated that the rings are 10 to 100 million years old. That might sound a lot but not much when we know&nbsp;dinosaurs roamed the Earth just 66 million years ago.

Saturn may flaunt its distinct look in the night sky today but the planet is losing its rings.

Imagine pointing your telescope at the sky and finding no difference between Saturn and other planets! Yes, that sounds sad.

Saturn is losing its rings due to what is being called 'ring rain'. No, there is no mysterious rain chipping away at the rings. Saturn is itself attracting the 'ring matter' which is falling towards it from the ring and vapourising. In other words, Saturn is eating away its own rings!

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/an-astronomer-has-created-video-on-saturns-spinning-rings-375558">An astronomer has created video on Saturn's spinning rings</a>

This destructive process was revealed to The Atlantic by astronomers. It is estimated that 10 tonnes of ring matter are falling into Saturn every second!

NASA's Cassini Mission has studied Saturn extensively.

We can heave a sigh of relief though. Saturn is unlikely to lose its grandeur during our lifetimes. At the current rate of degradation, it is estimated that the core of the ring would disappear in 100 million years and the rings will completely disappear in 300 million years. But it will be a sad moment indeed, whenever it comes.

Saturn sure makes for a grand view in the night sky. After all, it is the only planet in our solar system with easily visible majestic rings. If you have seen Saturn through an everyday telescope, it's hard to miss the mesmerising beauty of the planet.

Saturn sure makes for a grand view in the night sky. After all, it is the only planet in our solar system with easily visible majestic rings. If you have seen Saturn through an everyday telescope, it's hard to miss the mesmerising beauty of the planet. Saturn's rings are made of rock, ice and dust. It is estimated that the rings are 10 to 100 million years old. That might sound a lot but not much when we know dinosaurs roamed the Earth just 66 million years ago. Saturn may flaunt its distinct look in the night sky today but the planet is losing its rings. Imagine pointing your telescope at the sky and finding no difference between Saturn and other planets! Yes, that sounds sad. Saturn is losing its rings due to what is being called 'ring rain'. No, there is no mysterious rain chipping away at the rings. Saturn is itself attracting the 'ring matter' which is falling towards it from the ring and vapourising. In other words, Saturn is eating away its own rings! Also Read: An astronomer has created video on Saturn's spinning rings This destructive process was revealed to The Atlantic by astronomers. It is estimated that 10 tonnes of ring matter are falling into Saturn every second! NASA's Cassini Mission has studied Saturn extensively. We can heave a sigh of relief though. Saturn is unlikely to lose its grandeur during our lifetimes. At the current rate of degradation, it is estimated that the core of the ring would disappear in 100 million years and the rings will completely disappear in 300 million years. But it will be a sad moment indeed, whenever it comes.

Saturn is 'eating' its own rings, they may disappear altogether

The word 'supernova' means blast of a star. It occurs as the star dies. The process is quite violent. But a particular star is confusing scientists because it is literally forming rings around itself. The star is dying and its behaviour has made scientists question their own knowledge about death of a star.

The star in question is V Hydrae (V Hya). It is a carbon-rich red giant star. V hya is located in Hydra constellation about 1300 light years away from Earth.&nbsp;

This star is classified in the category of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. Scientists are often curious about V Hydrae as it emits plasma in space every eight years.

In addition to this, the star is emitting stellar material every few hundred years and this is forming rings around the star.

A group of scientists have studied the star and published the study in the Astrophysical Journal.

"This is the first and only time that a series of expanding rings has been seen around a star that is in its death throes — a series of expanding 'smoke rings' that we have calculated are being blown every few hundred years. We have caught this dying star in the process of shedding its atmosphere — ultimately most of its mass — which is something that most late-stage red giant stars do. But much to our surprise, we have found that the matter, in this case, is being expelled as a series of rings," says Mark Morris, co-author of the study.

The researchers made use of Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Hubble Space Telescope.

The word 'supernova' means blast of a star. It occurs as the star dies. The process is quite violent. But a particular star is confusing scientists because it is literally forming rings around itself.

The word 'supernova' means blast of a star. It occurs as the star dies. The process is quite violent. But a particular star is confusing scientists because it is literally forming rings around itself. The star is dying and its behaviour has made scientists question their own knowledge about death of a star. The star in question is V Hydrae (V Hya). It is a carbon-rich red giant star. V hya is located in Hydra constellation about 1300 light years away from Earth. This star is classified in the category of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. Scientists are often curious about V Hydrae as it emits plasma in space every eight years. In addition to this, the star is emitting stellar material every few hundred years and this is forming rings around the star. A group of scientists have studied the star and published the study in the Astrophysical Journal. "This is the first and only time that a series of expanding rings has been seen around a star that is in its death throes — a series of expanding 'smoke rings' that we have calculated are being blown every few hundred years. We have caught this dying star in the process of shedding its atmosphere — ultimately most of its mass — which is something that most late-stage red giant stars do. But much to our surprise, we have found that the matter, in this case, is being expelled as a series of rings," says Mark Morris, co-author of the study. The researchers made use of Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Hubble Space Telescope.

A dying star is forming rings around itself, confusing scientists

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