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Saturn's atmosphere 'waves' to Earth


Published: May 8, 2008 at 1:49 PM
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PASADENA, Calif., May 8 (UPI) -- U.S. space agency scientists say they've observed a wave pattern, or oscillation, in Saturn's atmosphere that's only visible from Earth every 15 years.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration said the discovery came from a 22-year Earth-based program of observing Saturn -- the longest space temperature study ever recorded -- as well as the Cassini spacecraft's observations of temperature changes in Saturn's atmosphere.

The Cassini infrared results indicate Saturn's wave pattern is similar to a wave pattern found in Earth's upper atmosphere. The earthly oscillation takes about two years, while a similar pattern on Jupiter takes more than four Earth years.

Glenn Orton of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory said patience is the key to studying changes during the course of a Saturnian year -- the equivalent of about 30 Earth years.

"You could only make this discovery by observing Saturn over a long period of time," said Orton, lead author of the ground-based research. "It's like putting together 22 years worth of puzzle pieces, collected by a hugely rewarding collaboration of students and scientists from around the world on various telescopes."

The findings of both the Cassini and Earth-based observations appear in the journal Nature.

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SATURN CASSINI
The Cassini spacecraft wide-angle camera captured this view of Saturn at a distance of approximately 1.23 million kilometers (764,000 miles) on January 19, 2007. (UPI Photo/NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute)
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