New findings from Sandia National Laboratory's Z Machine are proving to be a big help for scientists to figure out Saturn's precise age. What has so far confused the researchers about the actual age of Saturn is its distinct behavior than other planets that cool with age.

Saturn's age can't be linked to temperature because the planet is much hotter than astrophysicists would expect it to be. Scientists have now learnt that under sufficient pressure, molecular hydrogen as found on Saturn becomes metallic. This then breaks into a substance that can carry a current.

Mike Desjarlais of Sandia said in a statement that Saturn's temperature can be explained by that long-ago prediction that release of helium rain takes place after hydrogen metallizes and mixes with helium in a dense liquid.

A plausible explanation for why the planet has a higher temperature than its presumed age is given by presence of helium rain on Saturn. Marcus Knudson of Sandia said Saturn is kept warmer than calculations of planetary age alone would predict because of helium rain.

Thomas Mattson of Sandia said dense hydrogen can be metallic, which means that changes could happen in coexistence of hydrogen and helium in the planet. "The mechanism of helium rain that has been proposed is therefore very plausible, given our results, but the scientific discussion will continue over the next few years in establishing a new consensus", said Mattson.

Sandia's Z Machine has made it possible for researchers to verify that the insulator molecular hydrogen becomes metallic due to enough pressure.