Moons, Rings, and Unexpected Colors on Saturn
Explanation:
Why would Saturn show such strange colors?
The robotic
Cassini spacecraft currently orbiting Saturn has
beamed back images showing that the northern hemisphere our
Solar System's most spectacularly
ringed planet
has changed noticeably since Cassini arrived in 2004,
now sporting unusual and unexpected colors.
No one is sure why.
Although the cause for many of
Saturn's colors is unknown,
the recent
change in colors is thought to be related to the
changing seasons.
Pictured above,
the unusual colors are visible just north of the dark
ring shadows.
The
razor-thin plane of ring particles is visible
nearly edge-on across the bottom of the image.
The cloudy moon
Titan looms large just above the rings,
while close observation will reveal
three other
moons.
Cassini arrived at Saturn in 2004, sending back data and images that have not only
led to a deeper understanding of the Jovian world's atmosphere, moons, and rings,
but also raised new
mysteries.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.