The JWST has found "dark beads" and unexpected structures inside the atmosphere of Saturn – strange features never seen before in the Solar System. A strange, star-shaped feature with four of six arms visible in Saturn's stratosphere. Image credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/Stallard et al 2025“We think that the dark beads may result from complex interactions between Saturn's magnetosphere and its rotating atmosphere, potentially providing new insights into the energy exchange that drives Saturn's aurora. The asymmetric star pattern suggests previously unknown atmospheric processes operating in Saturn's stratosphere, possibly linked to the hexagonal storm pattern observed deeper in Saturn's atmosphere,” Professor Stallard explained. “Saturn's upper atmosphere has proven incredibly difficult to study with missions and telescope facilities to date due to the extremely weak emissions from this region,” Stallard added.