Saturn's Cloud Tops
Explanation:
This close-up of the tops of
Saturn's clouds was taken by the
Voyager 1
robot spacecraft as it passed the giant planet in November 1980.
Saturn's clouds
are mostly composed of
hydrogen and
helium gas, but the small
addition of other elements gives the clouds their colors. These colors have
been computer enhanced in the
above photograph. Usually the clouds are
divided into just bands and belt, but the center of this
photograph shows the addition of
a red oval cloud. The oval's origin remains a mystery, although its color
indicates that its composition is slightly different than surrounding
clouds. A new spacecraft -
Cassini - will visit
Saturn
and is currently scheduled for launch in 1997.
Information:
The
Scale of the Universe Debate in April 1996
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
