Saturn is the most oblate planet in our solar system. Its polar diameter is only about 90% of its equatorial diameter. This is caused by its high speed of rotation and centrifugal forces causing the equator to pull away from the axis of rotation. Saturn is also the least dense of the planets being only 70% the density of water.

The interior of Saturn is similar to Jupiter's. At the center is a rocky core surrounded by a thick layer of liquid metallic hydrogen. Beyond that are liquid molecules of hydrogen and helium.

Saturn's surface is broken into atmospheric bands similar but fainter than Jupiter's. Like Jupiter's Great Red Spot, Saturn also has long lived cyclonic storms within its bands. Near the equator wind speeds reach 1800 km/hr (1100 mph).

Its atmosphere is 96.3% hydrogen and 3.3% helium. It has multiple cloud layers including blue clouds of water ice and water vapour and higher clouds of ammonium hydrosulfide crystals, dark orange in colour. Still higher, are white clouds of ammonium crystals.