Scientists have recently discovered a massive, 10-sided wave pattern swirling through Saturn’s icy ammonia clouds at its south pole. This formation, larger and less stable than the planet’s well-known north-pole hexagon, was observed using the Hubble Space Telescope in 2023. Researchers believe the pattern may have formed between 2017 and 2023 when the south pole was tilted away from Earth.
The decagon, measuring over 10,000 miles on each side, suggests that Saturn’s atmosphere may possess more complexities than previously understood. This new finding challenges the notion that the hexagon is an extraordinary feature unique to Saturn.
The formation of both hexagons and polygons in gas giants raises questions about atmospheric dynamics, and further observations may help unravel this atmospheric mystery. The research was published in the journal Science Advances.
