Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Crescent Rhea Occults Crescent Saturn

NASA ^ | January 04, 2015 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: Soft hues, partially lit orbs, a thin trace of the ring, and slight shadows highlight this understated view of the majestic surroundings of the giant planet Saturn. Looking nearly back toward the Sun, the robot Cassini spacecraft now orbiting Saturn captured crescent phases of Saturn and its moon Rhea in color a few years ago. As striking as the above image is, it is but a single frame from a 60-frame silent movie where Rhea can be seen gliding in front of its parent world. Since Cassini was nearly in the plane of Saturn's rings, the normally impressive rings are visible here only as a thin line across the image center.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit: Cassini Imaging Team, SSI, JPL, ESA, NASA]

[SunkenCiv]

2015 APoD Calendar

The Bigger One

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[BenLurkin]

Great pic!

[9thLife]

Pretty awesome.

[9thLife]

Of course it makes far more sense if you click on the link.

[Kartographer]

How dare you suggest that a FReeper should click on a link! It is the right of all FReepers to comment on any and all articles rather they read them or not or followed any pertinent links! Any more talki like that and I will go to the Mods and have you banned! The audacity of some people!!

[left that other site]

That is an extremely cool photo!

[arthurus]

Hardly an occulting. Very little is hidden.

[TheOldLady]

Very nice, Mr. Civilizations. Thanks for the ping.

[RansomOttawa]

That’s no moon.

[9thLife]

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks!

[SunkenCiv]

:’D

[SunkenCiv]

Spoiler alert — It’s only 20 pixels larger, but turned 90 degrees. :’)