Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology published the results of a study in Science that
Saturn's rings revolving around the equatorplanets are a clear sign that the planet rotates at an inclination to the plane of the ecliptic of the solar system. The angle of this inclination is estimated to be about 26.7°. Planetologists have long suspected that such a strange position of the planet's axis is connected with Neptune: studies have shown that Saturn precesses like a top, almost at the same speed as Neptune's orbit.
However, in their work, researchersshowed that while the two planets were once in sync, Saturn has since ceased to be pulled by Neptune. To figure out what happened, scientists used computer simulations.
In their study, planetary scientists showed thatthe most likely hypothesis suggests that in addition to the existing 83 satellites, Saturn once had one more. They named it Chrysalis. For billions of years it has orbited the planet, pulling on the planet in such a way that its tilt or "tilt" is in resonance with Neptune.
According to scientists, about 160 million years ago, the orbitChrysalis has become unstable. He came too close to his planet. As a result of the collision, the satellite was torn apart. At the same time, most of its fragments could remain in orbit, eventually breaking into small ice pieces that form the characteristic rings of the planet.
This hypothesis explains both the loss of gravitational interaction with Neptune and the late formation of rings that are much younger than Saturn.
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