Whether Saturn's rings are young or old, its moons may be as ancient as the planet itself

An international team of astronomers has found that Saturn 's satellites may be as ancient as the planet itself.

They used a series of high-resolution simulations and improved estimates of trans-Neptunian object ( TNO ) populations.

Their findings could have implications for the formation and tidal evolution of moons in the outer solar system.

The research was led by Emily Wai Wong , a researcher with the Earth-Life Science Institute .

The techniques they employed are also applicable to satellites of Jupiter , Uranus , and possibly Neptune , allowing astronomers to learn a great deal about the evolution of these planets, their satellites, and the history of the solar system. Provided by Universe Today .