Astronomy Picture of the Day
Discover the cosmos!
Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is
featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional
astronomer.
July 30, 1995
The Rings of Saturn
Credit: NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Voyager Project
Explanation:
Saturn's spectacular system of bright rings has been the subject
of study and wonder since
Galileo
first turned his telescope
on the ringed planet in 1610. To Galileo, the blurry image produced by
his small telescope was confusing.
Saturn appeared to him to have "ear-like" appendages
which he thought might be large moons. Eventually, larger telescopes
revealed the incredible truth - Saturn was surrounded by bright rings.
The image above, made by NASA's
Voyager 2
spacecraft, further reveals the intricate
structure of the ring system. The image has been computer enhanced and
colour coded to bring out the subtle details.
For more information about the picture see the NASA, JPL
press release .
Tomorrow's picture: Exploring Saturn's Rings
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Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry
Bonnell (USRA)
NASA Technical Rep.:
Jay Norris.
Specific rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA
at
NASA/
GSFC
&:
Michigan Tech. U.