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Science & Nature • Planet

Saturn

Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second-largest planet in the Solar System.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second-largest planet in the Solar System. It is a gas giant best known for its prominent ring system and numerous moons. Saturn is composed mostly of hydrogen and helium and has a very low average density compared with water.

Physical characteristics

Saturn is a gas giant with no solid surface like Earth’s. It is composed mostly of hydrogen and helium and has a very low average density.

Orbit and rotation

Saturn orbits the Sun at an average distance of about 1.4 billion km and takes about 29.4 Earth years to complete one orbit. A Saturn day is much shorter, lasting about 10.7 hours.

Moons and rings

Saturn has dozens of moons, including Titan, its largest. Its ring system is broad and complex, and it is the most famous ring system in the Solar System.

Visibility from Earth

The distance from Earth to Saturn varies with the two planets’ positions in their orbits. At closest approach, Saturn is about 1.2 billion km from Earth, while at its farthest it can be about 1.7 billion km away.

Key facts

  • Saturn is the second-largest planet in the Solar System and the sixth planet from the Sun.
  • Saturn is a gas giant made mostly of hydrogen and helium.
  • Saturn has dozens of officially recognized moons, more than any other planet.
  • Its ring system is the most extensive and visually prominent of any planet.
  • Saturn’s average density is lower than water, so it would hypothetically float in a sufficiently large ocean.
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Canadian context

Saturn is a prominent target for Canadian astronomy education, skywatching, and space science interest, and it is frequently studied through international solar-system research used by Canadian universities and observatories.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Saturn from Earth?
Saturn is usually about 1.2 billion km from Earth at its closest approach, and can be as far as about 1.7 billion km away depending on orbital positions.
How many moons does Saturn have?
Saturn has dozens of officially recognized moons, and it has more moons than any other planet.
What is Saturn made of?
Saturn is mostly made of hydrogen and helium.
How long is a year on Saturn?
One year on Saturn is about 29.4 Earth years.
Can Saturn float on water?
Hypothetically, yes: Saturn’s average density is lower than water, so it would float in a sufficiently large ocean.

References

  1. NASA — https://science.nasa.gov/saturn/facts/
    Supports: Saturn's composition, orbital period, rotation period, density, and general facts.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Saturn-planet
    Supports: Saturn's place in the Solar System, distance from Earth, moons, and density.
  3. NASA — https://science.nasa.gov/saturn/
    Supports: Saturn's status, rings, moons, and composition.
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/question/How-far-is-Saturn-from-Earth
    Supports: Closest distance between Saturn and Earth.
  5. CK-12 — https://www.ck12.org/flexi/earth-science/saturn/how-far-is-saturn-from-earth/
    Supports: Range of Earth-Saturn distance due to orbital positions.