Does Saturn Have a Magnetic Field?
Saturn DOES have a magnetic field. Planetary magnetic fields are produced by the rotation of a molten metal core, and Saturn has a rotating molten metal core, so it does produce a magnetic field. In fact, Saturn rotates very quickly at only 10 hours and 39 minutes per cycle. The magnetic moment of Saturn’s magnetic field is 580 times greater than that of Earth’s magnetic field.
Saturn’s Magnetic Field Is Unique
Saturn’s magnetic field is unique because Saturn’s rotation axis has a minimal tilt of fewer than 0.06 degrees. This rotation creates a magnetic field that is extremely axisymmetric.
Saturn’s Magnetic Field Simple
If you imagine a planet’s rotation as a spinning top, the Earth would be spinning on a tilted axis, and the top would move around erratically. However, Saturn would be spinning on an almost perfectly vertical axis, and the spinning top would be very close to stationary. Similarly, the magnetic field produced by Saturn’s rotation is simpler than the one produced by Earth’s rotation because of its symmetry.
Jupiter’s Magnetic Field
Saturn’s magnetic field is much weaker than Jupiter’s, even though Saturn’s diameter is only 15 percent smaller. The aurorae can observe the effects of both planets’ magnetosphere, sometimes visible at their poles.
