According to current understanding, which of the following is required in order for a planet to have rings?
A)The planet must be at least as massive as Saturn.
B)The planet must once have had a large moon that came too close to it, shattering the moon and creating the ring particles.
C)The planet must orbit its star at a distance greater than Mars orbits the Sun.
D)The planet must have many small moons that orbit relatively close to the planet in its equatorial plane.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rings around planets are formed from dust and ice particles that orbit the planet. These particles often originate from the debris of moons or comets that were broken apart by the planet's gravity. The presence of many small moons close to the planet can help to shepherd the ring particles, keeping them in orbit around the planet. There is no requirement for a planet to be as massive as Saturn, for it to have had a large moon that shattered, or for it to orbit its star at a specific distance.

According to Current Understanding, Which of the Following Is Required