Saturn's rings are not solid objects; they are composed of countless particles ranging in size from dist to boulders, each in an independent orbit around Saturn. Gravitational interactions between the rings and Saturn's moons, as well as among the ring particles themselves, affect the structure of the rings, but in the absence of more intense gravitational disruption (perhaps from a passing asteroid) the rings are stable.

Many astronomers believe that Saturn's rings are relatively young (on the order of 100 million years) because of their relative brightness; if they were as old as Saturn, they should be coated in interplanetary dust. However, other theorists argue that collisions between the ring particles may freshen their surfaces, making them older than they appear. Either way, the rings are quite stable overall, and there is no reason (at least in terms of orbital dynamics) why they could not be as old as Saturn itself.
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rings_of_Saturn
http://www.universetoday.com/guide-to-space/saturn/formation-of-saturns-rin...

Asker's Rating:

Permalink | Report