Smithsonian Magazine · Geschiedenis en cultuur

Mysterious Decagon Discovered Around Saturn's South Pole

Researchers have identified a ten-sided polygon, or decagon, encircling Saturn's south pole, appearing to be a large atmospheric wave within a jet stream. This unexpected formation was not observed in previous images from the Hubble Space Telescope or the Cassini spacecraft.

The decagonal wave was discovered by a team including citizen scientists who spotted an undulating band in images of Saturn's southern pole. Further observations, including those from the Hubble Space Telescope, confirmed the structure, which is thick enough to span multiple atmospheric layers.

Scientists believe the decagon likely formed between 2017 and 2023, a period when Saturn's south pole was not visible from Earth and no orbiting spacecraft were studying the planet. The exact cause of its appearance remains unknown.

This discovery suggests that polygonal shapes in Saturn's atmosphere may be more common than previously thought, contrasting with the long-observed hexagonal jet stream around the north pole. While both are atmospheric waves, the decagon is smaller and appears to be growing stronger, offering a rare chance to observe a large atmospheric pattern developing.

Differences between the north and south pole formations, such as the number of sides, may be related to latitude, wind patterns, or nearby high-pressure systems. Further data collection and analysis are planned to understand the decagon's evolution and its implications for Saturn's deeper atmosphere.

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