Saturn south pole reveals massive ten-sided atmospheric wave

Astronomers have discovered a massive ten-sided atmospheric wave, or decagon, encircling Saturn’s south pole. The finding, published in Science Advances and supported by Hubble Space Telescope observations, reveals a geometric pattern that serves as a dynamic counterpart to the planet’s well-known northern hexagon.

Researchers, led by Agustín Sánchez-Lavega of the University of the Basque Country, believe the structure likely formed between 2017 and 2023, a period when the south pole was tilted away from Earth and obscured from view. The decagon is approximately 167,820 kilometers wide, with individual sides measuring over 16,700 kilometers. Unlike the relatively stable northern hexagon, this southern formation appears more transient and moves eastward at approximately 10 kilometers per hour.

The discovery was aided by data from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and initial observations from amateur astronomers. Scientists note that while many planets exhibit atmospheric waves, Saturn is unique in producing such distinct polygonal structures. This new finding challenges previous assumptions that the northern hexagon was a singular meteorological oddity, suggesting that Saturn’s atmospheric dynamics are more complex and variable than once thought.