Prior to the 2004 arrival of the Cassini–Huygens spacecraft, the rings of Saturn were widely thought to be much younger than the Solar System and were not expected to survive beyond another 300 million years.
Enne Cassini-Huygensi kosmoseaparaadi jõudmist Saturni juurde 2004. aastal arvati, et Saturni rõngad on Päikesesüsteemist palju nooremad ja ei pea vastu kauem kui järgnevad 300 mln aastat.