orbit:    1,429,400,000 km (9.54 AU) from Sun
diameter: 120,536 km
 

Saturn has been known since prehistoric times. Galileo was the first to observe it with a telescope in 1610; he noted its odd appearance but was confused by it.

Saturn was first visited by Pioneer 11 in 1979 and later by Voyager  1 and Voyager 2. Cassini, now on its way, will arrive in 2004.

 The rings seem to be made mostly of water ice, but they may also include rocky particles with icy coatings.
 Though they look continuous from the Earth, the rings are actually composed of many small particles each in an independent orbit. They range in size from a centimeter or so to several meters. A few kilometer-sized objects are also likely.

Saturn has 18 named satellites.