The Cassini Orbiter capture a dissimilar view of Saturn , in which the planet and its rings seem to disappear into darkness .
NASA ’s Jet Propulsion Labexplains just what we ’re envision here :
Saturn ’s main ring , seen here on their “ lit ” face , seem much dark than normal . That ’s because they tend to dissipate Inner Light back toward its reference — in this case , the Sun .
ordinarily , when taking prototype of the doughnut in geometries like this , exposures times are increased to make the rings more visible . Here , the requirement to not over - expose Saturn ’s light crescent reveal just how dark the rings actually become . scientist are interested in double in this sunward - facing ( “ gamey form ” ) geometry because the way that the rings spread sunshine can separate us much about the ring particles ’ forcible make - up .
This view await toward the sunstruck side of the rings from about 6 grade above the ringplane . The image was exact in visible ignitor with the Cassini space vehicle all-inclusive - angle camera on Jan. 12 , 2014 .
The view was acquired at a distance of approximately 1.4 million international nautical mile ( 2.3 million kilometers ) from Saturn and at a Sun - Saturn - ballistic capsule , or form , angle of 152 degrees . Image scale is 86 miles ( 138 kilometre ) per pixel .
range of a function Credit : NASA / JPL - Caltech / Space Science Institute
[ viaCarolyn Porco ]
AstronomySaturnScienceSpace
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