Cassini-Solstice is the mission that keeps on giving. Fair to say, though, the plucky little spacecraft does have the solar system’s most gorgeous celebrity to work with. Images below, each link to a Cassini homepage with descriptions.
Ligeia Mare, shown here in data obtained by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, is the second largest known body of liquid on Saturn’s moon Titan. It is filled with liquid hydrocarbons, such as ethane and methane, and is one of the many seas and lakes that bejewel Titan’s north polar region.
Last close-up look at the moon Rhea as Cassini bids farewell. It will be years before we come this close again.
The spinning vortex of Saturn’s north polar storm resembles a deep red rose of giant proportions surrounded by green foliage in this false-color image from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft. Measurements have sized the eye at a staggering 1,250 miles (2,000 kilometers) across with cloud speeds as fast as 330 miles per hour (150 meters per second).
Saturn’s shadow cuts sharply across its rings as the orbits of ring particles carry them suddenly from day to night. With no atmosphere to scatter light, shadows in space are much darker than we’re used to here on Earth.
I’ve had the image at the top as my computer’s wallpaper for some time now. The little dot just inside the F ring at about the 10 o’clock position is Earth.
You must be my wallpaper-twin, billgascoyne. It’s a fantastic image.
Thankyou Stephen “DarkSyde” Andrew.
I love all these images.
That first one especially has to be my all time favourite astronomical image. Cheers.