New observations suggest that Saturn's rings may be much older than previously thought. The original estimate was based on observations gathered by the Voyager and Pioneer flybys in the 1970s. Scientists concluded at the time that the rings were only about 100 million years old.
New data from the Cassini probe currently orbiting Saturn seem to offer evidence that the rings are actually billions of years old. Saturn itself was formed along with the rest of the solar system 4.5 billion years ago, and it is now thought that the rings may actually have formed shortly after that.
If the new findings hold up under further scientific scrutiny, that would mean the rings are older than John McCain.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Older Than Dirt.... Well, Almost
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