Saturn's Rings Are Ancient

gardenermike writes "Analysis of data from the Cassini probe suggests that Saturn's rings may be billions of years old, rather than the previously surmised millions. Previous research suggested that the rings were young, because of the lack of dark dust accumulation on their surfaces. However, the latest data suggests that the ring surfaces are even younger than previously thought, meaning, ironically, that the rings themselves are much older: they are not static enough to collect dust, but rather are continuously recycling material, with clumps continuously forming and disintegrating."

Comments

Re:The Ring's Surfaces Are Younger

[calebt3]

Think of it like your skin: it is replaced over the course of a month, so you skin is never more than a month old. But you as a whole are quite a bit lder than one month. (either that or you a a genius child).