Hubble spots mysterious 10-sided 'decagon' swirling around Saturn's south pole - and it wasn't there a decade ago
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has captured images of a new, 10-sided atmospheric wave forming at Saturn's south pole. Unlike the long-standing hexagon at the north pole, this decagon is a recent development that scientists are actively monitoring.
Why it matters
Observing the formation of a giant atmospheric pattern in real-time provides rare insights into planetary fluid dynamics and atmospheric evolution.
The Hubble Space Telescope spied a large atmospheric phenomenon on Saturn: a decagon surrounding the south pole.
By Elizabeth Howell Edited by Brandon Specktor , Laura Mondrag n Published 3 September 2026 In News When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works .
Recent Hubble images show Saturn side-on (left) as well as the mysterious decagonal pattern forming at the planet's south pole (right). (Image credit: NASA, ESA, STScI, Agustin S nchez-Lavega (UPV), Amy Simon (NASA-GSFC), Michael Wong (UC Berkeley); Image Processing: Alyssa Pagan) Copy link Facebook X Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter New Hubble observations have revealed a dramatic, 10-sided jet surrounding Saturn's south pole, and it appears to be evolving before our eyes.
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