NASA discovers Saturn is losing its rings

NASA has confirmed that Saturn is losing its rings at the maximum rate estimated from Voyager 1 & 2 observations made decades ago.

The space agency says the rings are being pulled into Saturn by gravity as a dusty rain of ice particles under the influence of Saturn's magnetic field.

According to James O'Donoghue of NASA, the amount of 'ring rain' being drained could fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in 30 minutes.

Based on that current rate, and research carried out by the Cassini spacecraft, the rings have less than 100 million years to live.

Find out more in the video above