Planetary Rings

Planetary rings are collections of particles, ranging from tiny ice and dust grains to larger chunks, that orbit around a planet in a flat, disk-shaped formation. They form when material such as shattered moons or leftover debris from planetary formation gets trapped by the planet's gravity. The rings are maintained by a balance between gravitational forces, collisions among particles, and the planet's magnetic and gravitational influences. Notable examples include Saturn's extensive and bright rings, which are primarily made of ice, as well as the less prominent rings around Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune.