CICLOPS: Cassini Imaging Central Laboratory for OPerationS

The March to Equinox Continues

As Saturn continues its unstoppable march towards equinox, its traveling companion, Cassini, continues to bear witness to some of the most unusual sights in the solar system. (Image advisory can be found here.)

Jun 22, 2009: Across Resplendent Rings - The shadow of Saturn's moon Mimas dips onto the planet's rings and straddles the Cassini Division in this natural color image taken as Saturn approaches its August 2009 equinox.
Jun 22, 2009: A Shadow's Traverse - Mimas' shadow traverses the sunlit side of Saturn's rings in this movie and mosaic showcasing the unusual sights seen at Saturn as the planet approaches its August 2009 equinox.
Jun 22, 2009: Weaving a Shadow - Part of the shadow of Saturn's moon Mimas appears as if it has been woven through the planet's rings in this unusual series of images from Cassini.
Jun 22, 2009: Shadow from the Dark Side - The shadow of Saturn's moon Tethys seems to disappear as it crosses the planet's rings, demonstrating variations in the density of particles across the rings.
Jun 22, 2009: Eclipsing Mimas - As the moon Enceladus eclipses its neighbor Mimas, Cassini records a scene possible only around the time of Saturn's approaching equinox.
Alliance Member Comments
moonshine (Jun 23, 2009 at 8:59 AM):
These images are amazing thank you for posting. I am hoping to see the visions of saturn exhibition at the Royal Observatory in London this week.
Red_dragon (Jun 23, 2009 at 6:55 AM):
A very fine job, CICLOPS!. It's hard to choose one of these releases as the best.
Inky (Jun 23, 2009 at 6:16 AM):
Hi all, only just discovered this site following a broadcast on radio 4 in the UK. I am absolutely amazed at the pictures and movies on this site. I now have Saturn as my desktop image (hope I am not breaking any copyright rules!) and I get a tingle when I see it. Incredible what man can do isnt it - but dont forget the one who created it all!
Look forward to receiving information of these incredible explorations in the future.
Pete (Jun 22, 2009 at 10:28 PM):
Great stuff! These movies are astounding...all the still images are amazing, but there is nothing like a movie!
By the way, I remember seeing a brief shot of the Earth spinning on its axis in the global warming documentary by Al Gore, forget the name, and it gave me a tingling sensation seeing that for the first time. Is that clip available anywhere?

Cheers,
Pete