On July 19, 2013, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft had a uncommon alternative to picture Saturn and, far within the background, Earth. This picture spans about 404,880 miles (651,591 kilometers) throughout.
With the Solar’s highly effective and probably damaging rays eclipsed by Saturn itself, Cassini’s onboard cameras have been in a position to reap the benefits of this distinctive viewing geometry. They acquired a panoramic mosaic of the Saturn system that enables scientists to see particulars within the rings and all through the system as they’re backlit by the solar. This mosaic is particular because it marks the third time our residence planet was imaged from the outer photo voltaic system; the second time it was imaged by Cassini from Saturn’s orbit; and the primary time ever that inhabitants of Earth have been made conscious prematurely that their photograph can be taken from such an ideal distance.
Earlier than the mission resulted in 2017, Cassini was already a robust affect on future exploration. Classes realized throughout Cassini’s mission are being utilized in NASA’s Europa Clipper mission. The mission makes use of an orbital tour design derived from the way in which Cassini explored Saturn. Launched in 2024, Europa Clipper will attain Jupiter in April 2030 and make dozens of flybys of the planet’s icy moon to find out whether or not there are locations under the floor that might assist life.
Learn more about this unique image.
Picture credit score: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI