For the first time in history, scientists are witnessing the formation of a new moon in our solar system. NASA’s Cassini spacecraft has detected a new moon forming in the edge of Saturn’s rings. Astronomers around the world are amazed about this incredible find, which they have named Peggy.*
Although it might look like a lot of the other images you’ve seen of Saturn
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This mosaic of images taken from 2004 to 2013 the shutter-snapping Cassini spacecraft shows the most detailed look at the famous lakes on the surface of Saturn’s moon, Titan. Thought to be filled with methane and ethane, the lakes are the only areas filled with standing liquid in the entire solar system except, of course, for Earth. Check out the flyover video for a closer look. [NASA]
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This ghostly image shows the sunlit edge of Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. Captured by Cassini, it’s unilluminated atmosphere provides a hazy yet breathtaking view.
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The first time you see this latest picture of Saturn, you’ll probably think it’s fake. The rings are too perfectly round. The swirling surface of the planet is too smooth. The shadows are too sharp. But it’s all real, thanks to the Cassini spacecraft and a Croatian software developer with too much time on his hands.
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NASA’s Cassini spacecraft just detected propylene on Saturn’s moon Titan. You might recognize the name of the chemical as part of polypropylene, the material that the food storage containers in your cupboard are probably made of. It’s the first time that the plastic ingredient has ever been observed anywhere other than Earth.
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Saturn’s never looked more majestic than in this beautiful high-resolution image captured recently by Cassini.
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The image above is assembled from 1400 people waving at the Cassini spacecraft, which has been in orbit around Saturn since 2004. On July 19th, the orbiter turned back and snapped a photo of the home planet it would never see again. NASA thought it was only fair that we wave back. (See the full image below)
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When you look up at the sky, on a clear dark night, you’re sometimes lucky enough to catch glimpses of other planets. They seem small, insignificant, surreal. Guess what? That’s exactly how we look to them. Here’s our pale blue dot, from Saturn. You might have to squint.
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Ever since NASA’s Cassini-Huygens spacecraft entered Saturn’s orbit in 2004, filmmaker Stephen van Vuuren has been enthralled with its progress. So much so that he’s spent years collecting over a million insanely high-res photos from Cassini’s mission and quilted them together into a 45-minute film called In Saturn’s Rings. Without relying on CGI or fancy visual effects, van Vuuren has patched together a seamless visual journey through our solar system, culminating in a breathtaking view of Saturn’s rings and moons. Distributed by BIG & Digital, the movie is expected to make its way to IMAX theaters sometime in 2014, though there’s no word yet on a specific release date. The first official trailer dropped today, and you can watch it — in 4K if you’ve got the right screen — after the break.
Source: In Saturn’s Rings
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