Saturn at equinox

October 19, 2009 11:17 AM

Saturn at equinox.
posted by Joe Beese (22 comments total)

Ah, nuts. Double. Flagged.
posted by Joe Beese at 11:20 AM on October 19, 2009

I love their Big Picture features. Awesome stuff.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:25 AM on October 19, 2009

Nice, but for sheer awesome Saturn-ness, this is better. So is this, even though it isn't as clear a photo. Simply blows me away.
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 11:27 AM on October 19, 2009 [1 favorite]

I wondered how long it was going to take for that to show up here.
posted by sciurus at 11:28 AM on October 19, 2009

The ring shadow on the moon thing was awesome. I've never seen that idea in any SF story that I can remember. Seems like it could be a cool device.
posted by DU at 11:34 AM on October 19, 2009

Awesome!
posted by dov3 at 11:36 AM on October 19, 2009

They're doing amazing things with photoshop these days.

** ducks **
posted by blue_beetle at 11:38 AM on October 19, 2009

Great post, Joe. We're such a lucky solar system to have Saturn.
posted by Thorzdad at 11:39 AM on October 19, 2009

I Loves me some Saturn.
posted by Windopaene at 11:40 AM on October 19, 2009

well, it's not reeeeeally a double...the boston globe usually does a good job with the photo essays...dont beat yourself up, joe beese...

guy_inamonkeysuit...its a little higher res here (also one of my favorite images...it used to be my all-time favorite until this one of saturn from behind came out)
posted by sexyrobot at 11:47 AM on October 19, 2009 [1 favorite]

Beautiful - thanks for sharing this. I never would have seen this otherwise.
posted by pick_the_flowers at 11:53 AM on October 19, 2009

Stunning. I love what our little robots are doing on our behalf, out in the cold reaches of space.
posted by hippybear at 11:55 AM on October 19, 2009 [2 favorites]

I ♥ ♄
posted by not_on_display at 12:11 PM on October 19, 2009 [1 favorite]

That's no moon! It's a potato.
posted by Artw at 12:12 PM on October 19, 2009

FWIW I'd not seen image 3 before, which is lovely (If potato like).
posted by Artw at 12:13 PM on October 19, 2009

I thought GM killed Saturn?
posted by blue_beetle at 12:14 PM on October 19, 2009 [1 favorite]

Astronomy has always been one of those subjects that is completely beyond my brain's ability to grasp (and it's always made me feel a bit stupid).

But it sure is purty.

Thanks for this.
posted by East Siberian patchbelly wrangler at 12:24 PM on October 19, 2009

Image number 4 of Prometheus tearing through the F Ring is just awesome. I wish it were available in higher res. The whole series totally rocks.
posted by The Bellman at 12:31 PM on October 19, 2009

I love the ones of Daphnis raising water-skier-like plumes in the A ring. Also, Saturn's moons appear to be made of cheese! Delicious.
posted by Pallas Athena at 12:45 PM on October 19, 2009

Prometheus periodically gores the F ring

Because, really, who doesn't like to periodically gore the F ring? We all do - admit it.
posted by GuyZero at 12:48 PM on October 19, 2009 [1 favorite]

Cassini was money well spent.
posted by WolfDaddy at 12:50 PM on October 19, 2009

If we do have to do some crazy geo-engineering project to take care of global warming we should put some rings around the earth while we are there.
posted by shothotbot at 1:04 PM on October 19, 2009