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Discoveries > Saturn I

RINGS OF SATURN



 
Drawing from Galileo





 
Drawings from Huygens


This drawing was made by Galileo in 1609. He saw two bright spots on either side of the planet, but did not realize it was a ring.
He saw in them "two servants helping the old and slow Saturn to make its way."  



It was not until 1659 that Huygens solves the riddle: "Saturn is surrounded by a thin ring not adhering to the sun at any point, and inclined to the ecliptic."