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Rings Discovered Around a Moon for the First Time

Posted by Soulskill on from the chip-off-the-old-block dept.

Riding with Robots writes "It turns out that one of the Ringed Planet's moons has rings of its own. The robotic spacecraft Cassini at Saturn has discovered that the icy moon Rhea is orbited by an extensive debris field and at least one ring, the first such system found. 'Many years ago we thought Saturn was the only planet with rings,' said one mission scientist. 'Now we may have a moon of Saturn that is a miniature version of its even more elaborately decorated parent.'"

4 of 144 comments (clear)

  1. pff by McGiraf · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wake me up when they find a moon orbiting a ring.

  2. Does this mean by zakeria · · Score: 3, Funny

    they got engaged ?

  3. Wasn't there a movie about this? by rumli · · Score: 5, Funny

    'Many years ago we thought Saturn was the only planet with rings,' said one mission scientist...
    But they were all of them deceived, for another ring was made...
  4. Re:Dumb question: Why are they 2 dimensional? by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    and maybe don't question it, but why do so many structures in 'outer space' -- low gravity, three-dimensional space -- take on essentially two-dimensional forms? Consider rings around planets, planetary systems around stars, and galaxies, at least. They are all flat discs.

    The Flying Spaghetti Monster makes flat plate-like shapes because spaghetti likes to rest on plates. See, it all falls into place logically.

    --
    Table-ized A.I.