Cassini images: The most STUNNING new images sent back all the way from Saturn
CASSINI is beaming images and data back to Earth after becoming the first spacecraft to dive through the Saturn’s rings. Here are the latest new images all the way from the planet.
The very first images from the historic Saturn mission were sent back to Earth from the spacecraft hundreds of millions of miles away this morning.
The NASA team behind Cassini said the stunning close-up views of the planet are “our closest look ever at Saturn’s atmosphere and giant hurricane.”
Raw images from the cameras of Cassini’s Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) are published soon after they are received on Earth in NASA's online gallery.
Here is a look at a selection of the most incredible new raw images sent back to Earth. The images have not yet been validated or calibrated.
The Cassini spacecraft has send amazing images back to Earth
Our closest look ever at #Saturn’s atmosphere and giant hurricane. #GrandFinale https://t.co/giL0pulIEW pic.twitter.com/Qi3T2wSzc1
— CassiniSaturn (@CassiniSaturn) April 27, 2017
The photo was taken yesterday by a camera pointing toward Saturn
This is raw image sent back from Cassini to Earth this morning
Cassini regained contact with NASA's Deep Space Network Goldstone Complex in California's Mojave Desert earlier this morning.
Cassini project manager Earl Maize said: "No spacecraft has ever been this close to Saturn before.
"I am delighted to report that Cassini shot through the gap just as we planned and has come out the other side in excellent shape."
The incredible images and video below are an artist's rendering of what the Cassini spacecraft looked like as a it plunged through the narrow gap between Saturn and its rings.
The gap between Saturn and its rings is no longer unexplored space – and we're going back 21 times. #GrandFinale! https://t.co/TSA7uQe4KS pic.twitter.com/t9RlhEsWCP
— CassiniSaturn (@CassiniSaturn) April 27, 2017
The video below shows NASA staff on Earth celebrating the successful mission today.
Cassini makes contact with Earth after dive through Saturn's rings
At the weekend NASA the incredible image below which shows the Earth as seen from the Cassini spacecraft near Saturn.
The Earth is seen between Saturn's rings
NASA is now planning 21 more dives before Cassini, which is running low on fuel, takes a death plunge into Saturn in September.
Below is an image of what the death plunge will look like.