Saturn with Moons Tethys and Dione
Explanation:
Saturn and two of its larger moons -
Tethys and
Dione - were photographed by the
Voyager 1
spacecraft which flew by the planet in November of 1980.
This picture gives an indication of
Saturn's extensive ring system, which
can be seen casting a shadow on the planet, as does Tethys.
Saturn's rings are composed of many chunks of ice ranging in size
from a pebble to a car. The rings have several large gaps, the largest of
which is clearly visible in the picture and is named the
Cassini
Division, after its
discoverer.
Saturn
appears brighter than most stars in the sky,
and its rings can be discerned with a small telescope.
A new spacecraft -
Cassini - will visit
Saturn
and is currently scheduled for launch later in 1997.
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.
