Cassini: Saturn's Rings are Back

See new, spectacular, or mysterious sky images.
Post Reply
User avatar
bystander
Apathetic Retiree
Posts: 21571
Joined: Mon Aug 28, 2006 2:06 pm
Location: Oklahoma

Cassini: Saturn's Rings are Back

Post by bystander » Tue Jul 10, 2012 2:41 am

Saturn's Rings are Back
NASA | JPL-Caltech | Cassini Solstice Mission | CICLOPS | 2012 July 09
It's been nearly two years since NASA's Cassini spacecraft has had views like these of Saturn's glorious rings. These views are possible again because Cassini has changed the angle at which it orbits Saturn and regularly passes above and below Saturn's equatorial plane. Steeply inclined orbits around the Saturn system also allow scientists to get better views of the poles and atmosphere of Saturn and its moons.

Cassini's recent return of ring images has started to pay off. A group of scientists has restarted the team's studies of propeller-shaped gaps. These gaps are cleared out by objects that are smaller than known moons but larger than typical ring particles. Cassini scientists haven't seen propellers in two years. Matt Tiscareno, a Cassini imaging team associate at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., and colleagues have been following these objects for several years. Because some of the propellers are exactly where models predicted they would be, scientists believe they are seeing some old friends again.

Scientists are eagerly waiting for the other data that will come from this change in perspective. What's the secret to getting Cassini to orbit at such high angles? Cassini's lead navigator, Duane Roth, explains in a JPL blog post.

"We're entering a new episode in Cassini's exploratory voyage through the Saturn system," said Carolyn Porco, imaging team lead, based at the Space Science Institute, Boulder, Colo. "These new ring results are an early harbinger of great things to come. So watch this space!"

The Return of the Rings!
Universe Today | Jason Major | 2012 July 09
Know the quiet place within your heart and touch the rainbow of possibility; be
alive to the gentle breeze of communication, and please stop being such a jerk.
— Garrison Keillor

User avatar
geckzilla
Ocular Digitator
Posts: 9180
Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:42 pm
Location: Modesto, CA
Contact:

Re: Cassini: Saturn's Rings are Back

Post by geckzilla » Tue Jul 10, 2012 12:03 pm

Hmmm...
*plops a bean bag in front of the thread*

There, now owlice will have something to fall on when she gets here.
Just call me "geck" because "zilla" is like a last name.

User avatar
neufer
Vacationer at Tralfamadore
Posts: 18805
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 1:57 pm
Location: Alexandria, Virginia

Re: Cassini: Saturn's Rings are Back

Post by neufer » Wed Jul 11, 2012 2:02 pm

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/story/18920835/wedding-ring-leaves-imprint-on-finger-if-taken-off wrote:

Wedding ring leaves imprint on finger if taken off
By Kristen Keogh, FOX 10 News, Jun 30, 2012

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - <<A new company has introduced a subtle way to serve as a reminder of marriage. It's called the anti-cheating ring. If taken off, it leaves an imprint of the words "I'M MARRIED" on the ring finger. It can be a last minute reminder to someone on the verge of cheating that they've made a lifelong commitment -- or maybe it could prevent a potential partner from going too far.

In a marriage trust is priceless -- until now. Concerned partners can buy this anti-cheating wrong on cheeky.com for $550. Anyone willing to use this ring is in marital turmoil according to Scottsdale marriage counselor Terrina Picarillo. "That's an absolute indicator that you need to go and talk to somebody, there is a problem in your relationship," she says. Picarillo says the imprint won't keep anyone from engaging in infidelity and neither would a ring alone, because it's simply a symbol of marriage. "A ring doesn't protect you, a ring doesn't do anything, a ring doesn't have magic powers." The ring is made of titanium. It doesn't have a diamond on it -- so the company probably is assuming those doing the cheating are men.>>
Art Neuendorffer

Post Reply