Titan and Rings

[n2doc]

This raw, unprocessed image of Titan behind Saturn's rings was taken on May 18, 2010, by the Cassini spacecraft. The dark curve of Enceladus is visible at the bottom of the image. Image credit: NASA/JPL/SSI

Cassini Heading to Titan after Tagging Enceladus05.19.10




NASA's Cassini spacecraft is on its way to a flyby of Saturn's largest moon, Titan, after capturing some stunning images of Enceladus. One view shows the hazy outline of Titan behind Saturn's rings, with the dark curve of Enceladus at the bottom.

In other images, Enceladus put its craggy face forward, exhibiting some of the fractures and cratering that have made the Saturnian moon a favorite of both planetary scientists and outer-planet mission groupies. A view of Enceladus' terminator was taken by NASA's Cassini spacecraft on May 18 from approximately 75,000 kilometers (46,500 miles) away.

Cassini sent back numerous images May 18, 2010, as it finished the first leg of its planned double flyby. Cassini passed within about 435 kilometers (270 miles) of the Enceladus surface.

Cassini is heading toward Titan for a flyby that occurs in the late evening May 19 Pacific time, which is in the early hours of May 20 UTC. Because of a fortuitous cosmic alignment, Cassini can catch glimpses of these two contrasting worlds within less than 48 hours, with no maneuver in between.


This raw, unprocessed image of Enceladus was taken on May 18, 2010, by the Cassini spacecraft, which was approximately 75,000 kilometers (46,500 miles) away at the time. Image credit: NASA/JPL/SSI
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/whycassini/cassini20100519.html

[Richardo]

1. Fantastic

:kick: & Rec

I really like the unprocessed photos. and the reflection of Titan in the ring material is amazing. :thumbsup:

[CherokeeDem]

2. Thanks...

the starkness of these images is somehow more impressive than all the false color images we see. However, I love them all. Thanks for posting.