Bluish-coloured storm at Saturn’s north pole, in the middle of the larger “hexagon” jet stream. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/Jason Major
Since the previous post about Cassini’s first dive between Saturn and its rings on April 26, more images have become available. These are the closest-ever images taken of Saturn, showing the north polar region with a huge bluish-coloured storm at the centre of the massive “hexagon” jet stream and many other smaller storms and eddies in the atmosphere. As it dove through the gap, Cassini came within about 3,000 kilometres (1,900 miles) of Saturn’s cloud tops and within about 300 kilometres (200 miles) of the innermost visible edge of the rings. Cassini’s next dive through the gap is scheduled for May 2. See also Sophia Nasr’s (@Pharaoness) beautiful and haunting processed Cassini image taken a couple days later, on April 29.
Another view of the north polar region. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/Kevin M. GillRaw, unprocessed image looking over Saturn’s north pole, with rings in background. Photo Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSIRaw, unprocessed image looking over Saturn’s north pole, with rings in background. Photo Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSIRaw, unprocessed image looking over Saturn’s limb, with rings in background. Photo Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSIRaw, unprocessed image looking over Saturn’s limb, with hazy G ring in background. Photo Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSIAnother beautiful and haunting view, taken a couple days after closest approach during the ring dive, on April 29. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/Sophia Nasr (@Pharaoness)
