Now, a computer-modelling study carried out by researchers at MIT has suggested that the gas giant\u2019s rings, and the nearly 27\u00b0 tilt at which it moves around the Sun, might be due to an ancient moon careering out of orbit, clipping its host planet and being smashed into hundreds of pieces. <\/p>\n\n The team made the discovery by using gravitational data collected by NASA\u2019s Cassini spacecraft, which orbited Saturn from 2004 to 2017. After running several computer models designed to emulate the orbits of Saturn and its satellites back through time, the researchers determined that billions of years ago, Saturn had at least one more moon, which they have named Chrysalis. <\/p>\n\n Through gravitational interactions with Chrysalis, Saturn kept its tilt in sync with Neptune. However, around 160 million years ago, Chrysalis became unstable, ventured too close to Saturn and was subsequently pulled apart. <\/p>\n\n The loss of this additional moon was enough to push Saturn out of sync with Neptune, leaving it with its current tilt. Moreover, some fragments of Chrysalis\u2019s shattered body may have remained in orbit and eventually broken down to form the planet\u2019s signature rings. <\/p>\n\n The researchers estimate that Chrysalis would have been around 1,500km across \u2013 roughly the same size as Iapetus, Saturn\u2019s third-largest moon. <\/p>\n\n \u201cJust like a butterfly\u2019s chrysalis, this satellite was long dormant and suddenly became active, and the rings emerged,\u201d said Jack Wisdom, professor of planetary sciences at MIT and lead author of the new study. <\/p>\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s a pretty good story, but like any other result, it will have to be examined by others. But it seems that this lost satellite was just a chrysalis, waiting to have its instability.\u201d <\/p>\n\n Just 53 of Saturn\u2019s 82 moons have been named. Here are two of the most important\u2026 <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n The largest of Saturn\u2019s moons. At 5,150km in diameter it is larger than Mercury, the Solar System\u2019s smallest planet. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Saturn\u2019s sixth-largest moon. It is of huge scientific interest as it is thought to have liquid oceans flowing beneath its frozen outer shell. This makes it one of the prime targets in the search for biological life in the Solar System.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n Around 160 million years ago, the shattering apart of a moon named Chrysalis may have caused Saturn to tilt and created its signature icy rings 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160 million years ago, the shattering apart of a moon named Chrysalis may have caused Saturn to tilt and created its signature icy 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LUNAR LINE-UP<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dj9jqhxgw9833.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2022\/10\/Titan_in_true_color_preview.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nTitan<\/span><\/strong> <\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dj9jqhxgw9833.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2022\/10\/PIA17202_-_Approaching_Enceladus_preview.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nEnceladus<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n