Jupiter and Saturn

Two differences in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn;
1. Saturn's atmosphere has less helium content than Jupiter's.
2. The atmosphere of Jupiter is denser than that of Saturn.

Two similarities;
1. Both planets have deep, heavy atmospheres of mainly hydrogen and helium.
2. As a consequence of point 1 above, differential rotation is conspicuous in both of them.

Differential rotation is a situation in which a rotating body (e.g planet) has different angular velocities at different parts of it. This is possible if the body is made up of fluids (e.g liquids and gases) rather than rigid solids. Differential rotation is common to gaseous planets, stars and galaxies.

Jupiter is more brightly colored than Saturn because Saturn is farther from the sun and colder, making the bands less chemically active and so less colorful.

More readings at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jupiter, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differential_rotation_in_stars, http://www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~pogge/Ast161/Unit6/jupsat.html

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