Saturn's million moons cast shadows...

Explore the latest Cassini raw image revealing stunning details of Saturn's rings and the moon Mimas casting long shadows.

Written byPhil Plait
| 1 min read
Google NewsGoogle News Preferred Source

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news

Sign Up

Sigh. A very, very cool image of Saturn's rings came out, and I was prepared to do all sorts of analysis and math to show you just how cool it is, but then my Secret Identity life kicked in, and I got delayed. Such is life. So now I will instead send you to Emily's place to let her tell the tale of the incredible image. But since I posted the images on Flickr anyway, let me at least show you them, and tease you about what you're seeing:

[Click to embiggen and get to the Cassini raw image...] This is a view from Cassini of Saturn's rings. The long shadow is being cast on the rings by the moon Mimas, which is well outside the field of view of this image. But if you look closely at the rings, other shadows are to be seen...

What's causing all those jagged shadows? Ah, well, again I'll let Emily tell the tale. Let me say it again: you really want to read what she wrote. It's amazing!

Tip o' the Whipple Shield to Nancy Atkinson at Universe Today and the folks at Unmanned Spaceflight who originally spotted this!

Meet the Author

Stay Curious

JoinOur List

Sign up for our weekly science updates

View our Privacy Policy

SubscribeTo The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Subscribe