Saturn from Above
Explanation:
This image of Saturn could not have been taken from Earth.
No
Earth based picture could possibly view the night
side of
Saturn and the corresponding
shadow cast across Saturn's rings.
Since Earth is much closer to the Sun than
Saturn, only the day side of the
ringed planet is visible
from the
Earth.
In fact,
this image mosaic
was taken earlier this year by the robotic
Cassini spacecraft now orbiting
Saturn,
just before filming a
44-hour video of Saturn
rotating.
The beautiful rings of Saturn are seen in full expanse, while
cloud details are visible including the
polar hexagon surrounding the north pole.
The Cassini mission is now in its
final year as the spacecraft is scheduled to be programmed to dive into
Saturn's atmosphere next September.
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.
