An Overview of the Evolution of Saturn's Atmosphere



This is an image of Saturn.
Click on image for full size version (92K GIF)
Image from: NASA
Atmospheres of the giant planets have definitely evolved from their formation out of the primitive solar nebula. How much they have evolved remains to be seen, however. Because of their enormous gravity, most of the original atmosphere of the planet remains in place. (The terrestrial planets lost all of the original atmosphere they were made with, because the atmosphere drifted away).

Saturn is made primarily of the basic materials hydrogen and helium, which is what existed in the vicinity of Saturn when it was forming.


Return to Saturn's Atmosphere


An Overview of the Evolution of Saturn's Atmosphere



This is an image of Saturn.
Click on image for full size version (92K GIF)
Image from: NASA
The giant planets have definitely changed since their formation. But how much remains to be seen.

Most of the original air of the giant planets remains in place. (The earth-like planets lost most of their atmospheres very soon after they formed because the atmosphere drifted away).

Saturn is made primarily of the basic materials hydrogen and helium, which is what existed near Saturn when it was forming.


Return to Saturn's Atmosphere


A Look at the History of Saturn's Atmosphere



This is an image of Saturn.
Click on image for full size version (92K GIF)
Image from: NASA
The giant planets have definitely changed since their formation. But how much remains to be seen.

Most of the original air of the giant planets remains in place. (The earth-like planets lost most of their atmospheres very soon after they formed because the atmosphere drifted away).

Saturn is made primarily of the simple molecules hydrogen and helium, which is what there was near Saturn when it was forming.


Return to Saturn's Atmosphere



Last modified April 3, 1997 by the Windows Team

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