Saturn Might Be Hiding Remains of a Secret, Massive Moon in Its Rings

The remains of an ancient moon are believed to be hiding in the rings of the planet.

In a new paper published in the journal Science this week, the team suggests there may have been a large satellite in the vicinity of the gas giant for several billion years.

Close Encounters

The scientists think that after billions of years in its host planet, Chrysalis got too close to it, obliterating itself. It was permanently adjusted because of the violent event.

The theory suggests that large amounts of icy chunks came from the remains of Chrysalis.

Jack Wisdom, professor of planetary sciences at MIT and lead author of the new study, said that the satellite was inactive for a long time and suddenly became active.

Mass Effect

The researchers used data from Cassini to model the distribution of mass inside the planet.

Wisdom said in the statement that it would have to be examined by other people. It seems that the lost satellite was just a chrysalis waiting to break.

There is a chance that the rings and tilt are the result of an ancient moon.

The moons of Jupiter have been accused of sucking up the planet's rings.