Saturn’s rings mess with the gas giant’s atmosphere
Shadows and ‘ring rain’ affect electron levels in the planet’s ionosphere, final Cassini data suggest
![Saturn’s rings](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/121117_LG_saturn-ring_feat.jpg?fit=860%2C460&ssl=1)
BLOCKING THE SUN Saturn’s rings cast a shadow on the gas giant’s charged upper atmosphere, blocking ionizing rays as well as visible light.
JPL-Caltech/NASA, Space Science Institute