The automatic interplanetary probe Cassini had an unusual side picture of Saturn’s rings on the background of the planet itself. This was reported on the NASA website.
Picture taken 25 May 2015 using the Cassini wide-angle camera with sensitivity to the near infrared filter that transmits wavelengths near 890 nanometers. At the time of photographing the station it was at a distance of 1.5 million kilometers from Saturn. Image scale is 89 kilometers per pixel.
According to the scientists, the infrared radiation is absorbed by the active methane. This compound, although not the main in the atmosphere of Saturn is present in it in sufficient quantities for analysis, and to evaluate the reflectivity of the clouds of the gas giant.
In the photo, obtained Cassini, dark colors indicate low position of the clouds, and light – higher. These observations allow scientists to investigate the migration of gas flows on Saturn and build its weather and climate models.
13:43 30 June 2014
The mission Cassini-Huygens – a joint project of NASA and the European Space Agency. The main goal – to study Saturn, its rings and the planet’s largest moon Titan. To do this, October 15, 1997 from Cape Canaveral in Florida was launched automatic spaceship. July 1, 2004-th it entered orbit around Saturn. December 25, 2004 the satellite separated from the probe Huygens, which 14 January 2005 sat on the surface of Titan.
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