Scientists Uncover Massive 10-Sided Wave on Saturn

Sep 2, 2026

64 min

Sep 2, 2026 20:30

Scientists discover enormous 10-sided wave over Saturn

## Discovery of a Decagon

Researchers have identified a massive 10-sided wave pattern in the clouds over Saturn's south pole. This decagon, observed in 2023 using the Hubble Space Telescope, is larger and more unstable than the well-known hexagon at the planet's north pole.

## Formation and Characteristics

The decagon may have formed between 2017 and 2023 when Saturn's south pole was not visible from Earth. Each side of this geometric shape exceeds 16,700 kilometers. Unlike the stationary hexagon, the decagon moves eastward at about 10 kilometers per hour.

## Scientific Significance

The discovery challenges the uniqueness of Saturn's hexagon, suggesting that polygonal wave patterns might be more common than previously thought. This phenomenon is unique to Saturn, as no other planet in our solar system exhibits such geometric cloud formations.

## Future Observations

As Saturn's southern hemisphere becomes more visible, astronomers hope to gather more data on the decagon. This could help solve the mystery of its formation and determine if it shares similarities with Jupiter's polygonal cyclones.

## Ongoing Research

The study, led by Agustin Sanchez-Lavega from the University of the Basque Country, was published in Science Advances. Researchers continue to monitor the decagon to understand its longevity compared to the hexagon, which has been observed for over 40 years.

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