AI Generated Image
Mysterious 10-sided structure discovered on Saturn
Yahoo • • general
Key Points:
- Scientists have discovered a 10-sided polygonal wave, called a decagon, around Saturn's South Pole, similar to the long-known hexagonal wave at its North Pole.
- The decagonal structure was identified using images from the Hubble Space Telescope, ground-based telescopes, and contributions from amateur astronomers between 2023 and 2025.
- This discovery challenges previous understanding, as no similar polygonal wave had been observed in Saturn's southern hemisphere despite symmetrical atmospheric dynamics.
- Researchers highlight the importance of amateur astronomers in this finding and emphasize the need for continued observations to understand the formation and longevity of these atmospheric phenomena.
- The study raises broader questions about why Saturn uniquely forms polygonal waves and whether these structures relate to similar cyclonic patterns observed on Jupiter.
