![]() |
Explanation: Next stop: Saturn. The Cassini spacecraft, launched from Earth in 1997, has now swung past Jupiter and should arrive at Saturn in the year 2004. Pictured to the left is a parting shot from Cassini in January that would not have been possible from Earth: Jupiter showing a crescent phase. From the Earth and all points sunward of Jupiter, the gas giant will always appear more fully lit than a crescent. Recent analysis of Jupiter images taken from Cassini bolsters indications that clouds well up from below in the light colored zones, not the dark colored belts, as believed previously. After arriving at Saturn, Cassini will decelerate to orbit the ringed world and send a probe to its enigmatic moon Titan.
January February March April May June July August September October November December |
|
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Jupiter - Saturn - clouds
Publications with words: Jupiter - Saturn - clouds
See also:
- APOD: 2024 July 7 Á Iridescent Clouds over Sweden
- APOD: 2024 June 23 Á The Colors of Saturn from Cassini
- APOD: 2024 May 19 Á Jupiter Diving
- APOD: 2024 April 21 Á Perijove 16: Passing Jupiter
- Jupiter over 2 Hours and 30 Minutes
- Stereo Jupiter near Opposition
- APOD: 2023 November 14 Á Three Planets Rock