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SATURN (continued)
Saturn's ring system makes the
planet one of the most beautiful objects in the solar system. Saturn's
white rings were first seen by Galileo in 1610. The rings may be
debris from satellites or comets broken apart by tidal forces. Saturn
has the most extensive satellite system in the Solar System. More than
47 bodies orbiting around Saturn have been identified and 6 can be
easily seen through the telescope.
Saturn is named for the Roman god
of agriculture concerned with the sowing of the seeds. He is regarded
as the father of Jupiter. Jupiter supposedly chased him away and he
was taken in by the god Janus in Latium where he introduced
agriculture and wine making. This event heralded a period of peace,
happiness and prosperity, the Golden Age. Since Saturn was the god of
farmers, the beginning of winter was a large feast to celebrate the
end of the harvest. The biggest feast in his honor was the Saturnalia
which became the biggest influence in the inception of today's
Christmas-New Year holidays. Saturday was named for Saturn.
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