~ Noeleen Lowndes NASA/JPL SOC member In Australia ~
~ 2002 to 2017 ~
For the Cassini-Huygens Mission to Saturn
https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov
Goodbye Cassini…
Goodbye Cassini, thank you for all the beautiful pictures of Saturn...Joshua :-)
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You did it NASA...you dreamed it and then did it, Yay Cassini By Ruby-Rose :-)
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Goodbye Cassini…
What an incredible spacecraft you’ve been for the human race with all the stunning images and amazing new discoveries you’ve made at Saturn, you’ve been very brave and passed by many of Saturn’s mysteries moons and shown us there beauty since you arrived in 2004.
There were a couple of tears in my eyes as I watch you plunge into Saturn in a blaze of glory, thank you for the journey, the excitement and the wonders you’ve shown us at the Saturnian system… I will miss you :-(
I think that it’s fitting that we end the mission with these lovely drawings from the children from the Stardust Junior Astronomy Club at the Runaway Bay Library, in celebration of my 15 years of education with NASA’s Saturn Observation Campaign, bye bye little spacecraft…thank you for the memories :-)
Noeleen Lowndes
NASA’s (SOC) member in Australia (2002 to 2017).
https://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/watchtheskies/s_o_c_2003.html
https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov
What an incredible spacecraft you’ve been for the human race with all the stunning images and amazing new discoveries you’ve made at Saturn, you’ve been very brave and passed by many of Saturn’s mysteries moons and shown us there beauty since you arrived in 2004.
There were a couple of tears in my eyes as I watch you plunge into Saturn in a blaze of glory, thank you for the journey, the excitement and the wonders you’ve shown us at the Saturnian system… I will miss you :-(
I think that it’s fitting that we end the mission with these lovely drawings from the children from the Stardust Junior Astronomy Club at the Runaway Bay Library, in celebration of my 15 years of education with NASA’s Saturn Observation Campaign, bye bye little spacecraft…thank you for the memories :-)
Noeleen Lowndes
NASA’s (SOC) member in Australia (2002 to 2017).
https://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/watchtheskies/s_o_c_2003.html
https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov
| nasa_-_for_the_love_of_saturn.pdf |
Beautiful drawings from the children at the Stardust Junior Astronomy Club in Australia
Alex draws the Deep Space Radio Telescope in Canberra receiving the last signals from Cassini on the 15th September 2017
NASA’s Cassini Spacecraft Ends Its Historic Exploration of Saturn
Cassini End of Mission (NHQ201709150004)
Cassini program manager at JPL, Earl Maize, left, and spacecraft operations team manager for the Cassini mission at Saturn, Julie Webster embrace after the Cassini spacecraft plunged into Saturn, Friday, Sept. 15, 2017 at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
Since its arrival in 2004, the Cassini-Huygens mission has been a discovery machine, revolutionizing our knowledge of the Saturn system and captivating us with data and images never before obtained with such detail and clarity. On Sept. 15, 2017, operators will deliberately plunge the spacecraft into Saturn, as Cassini gathered science until the end. The “plunge” ensures Saturn’s moons will remain pristine for future exploration. During Cassini’s final days, mission team members from all around the world gathered at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, to celebrate the achievements of this historic mission. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
Cassini plunged into Saturn's atmosphere and disintegrated about 3:31 a.m. PDT (7:31 a.m. EDT)
Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) 9.55pm on Sept. 15, 2017.
A thrilling epoch in the exploration of our solar system came to a close today, as NASA's Cassini spacecraft made a fateful plunge into the atmosphere of Saturn, ending its 13-year tour of the ringed planet.
Please go to NASA’s JPL website to read all about the exciting end of this incredible mission to Saturn at:
https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/3121/nasas-cassini-spacecraft-ends-its-historic-exploration-of-saturn
Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) 9.55pm on Sept. 15, 2017.
A thrilling epoch in the exploration of our solar system came to a close today, as NASA's Cassini spacecraft made a fateful plunge into the atmosphere of Saturn, ending its 13-year tour of the ringed planet.
Please go to NASA’s JPL website to read all about the exciting end of this incredible mission to Saturn at:
https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/3121/nasas-cassini-spacecraft-ends-its-historic-exploration-of-saturn
Her Journey Ends, but the legacy will last for decades, goodbye faithful little spacecraft : -)
~ Only two minutes to go to the Cassini Spacecraft plunges into the atmosphere of the giant planet Saturn ~
Goodbye Cassini…. live images streaming now from Cassini!
Well this is it; later this evening (AEST) the amazing Cassini spacecraft will plunge into the surface of the planet Saturn in a fiery ball, which will streak across the sky as it burns up in the gaseous atmosphere of Saturn!
There is no stopping what will happen at approximately 9.55pm tonight (AEST) and there will be many a tear in the eyes of everyone involved, including me after 15 years of sharing the wonders of Cassini’s discoveries to the community….
Here in Australia (AEST) the Canberra DSN starts tracking Cassini at 1.15pm on DSS43 & DSS35 and by about 9.55pm the spacecraft will have plunged into the planets surface. (Images are being transmitted now!)
Please go to the NASA’s Grand Finale website at: https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov
Where is Cassini now link at:
https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/saturn-tour/where-is-cassini-now/
Goodbye Cassini…thank you for all the wonderful images and discoveries, I will miss you so much :-)
There is no stopping what will happen at approximately 9.55pm tonight (AEST) and there will be many a tear in the eyes of everyone involved, including me after 15 years of sharing the wonders of Cassini’s discoveries to the community….
Here in Australia (AEST) the Canberra DSN starts tracking Cassini at 1.15pm on DSS43 & DSS35 and by about 9.55pm the spacecraft will have plunged into the planets surface. (Images are being transmitted now!)
Please go to the NASA’s Grand Finale website at: https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov
Where is Cassini now link at:
https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/saturn-tour/where-is-cassini-now/
Goodbye Cassini…thank you for all the wonderful images and discoveries, I will miss you so much :-)
~ Only seven minutes to go to the Cassini Spacecraft plunges into the atmosphere of the giant planet Saturn ~
Only 7 hours to go now...
Latest report from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Sept. 14, 2017 (4:45 p.m. PDT): Cassini has begun transmitting data -- including the final images taken by its imaging cameras -- in advance of its final plunge into Saturn on Sept. 15. The spacecraft is in the process of emptying its onboard solid-state recorder of all science data, prior to reconfiguring for a near-real-time data relay during the final plunge. Unprocessed (or "raw" images) are available here. The communications link with the spacecraft is continuous from now through the end of mission (about 12 hours).
Where is Cassini Now!
https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/saturn-tour/where-is-cassini-now/
Latest report from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Sept. 14, 2017 (4:45 p.m. PDT): Cassini has begun transmitting data -- including the final images taken by its imaging cameras -- in advance of its final plunge into Saturn on Sept. 15. The spacecraft is in the process of emptying its onboard solid-state recorder of all science data, prior to reconfiguring for a near-real-time data relay during the final plunge. Unprocessed (or "raw" images) are available here. The communications link with the spacecraft is continuous from now through the end of mission (about 12 hours).
Where is Cassini Now!
https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/saturn-tour/where-is-cassini-now/
Only One Day to Go until the Cassini Spacecraft plunges into Saturn!
Only one day to go....
~ How to Watch Cassini's last moments at Saturn ~
On the 15th September 2017.
Here in Australia (AEST) the Canberra DSN starts tracking Cassini at 1.15pm on DSS43 & DSS35
At 6.37pm Cassini is set up for real time transmissions and by about 9.55pm the spacecraft will have plunged into the planets surface :-(
NASA will be streaming live feeds from mission control at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, where scientists will be receiving the final images and data from the spacecraft.
NASA Live Streaming Channel Guide
https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/grand-finale/for-media/#streaming
NASA TV at:
https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html#public
NASA YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/nasajpl/live
If you have any trouble with these links try the National Geographic website where they are also streaming the live feed on NASA LIVE ON USTREAM at:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/09/watch-live-cassini-grand-finale-saturn-space-science/
At 6.37pm Cassini is set up for real time transmissions and by about 9.55pm the spacecraft will have plunged into the planets surface :-(
NASA will be streaming live feeds from mission control at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, where scientists will be receiving the final images and data from the spacecraft.
NASA Live Streaming Channel Guide
https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/grand-finale/for-media/#streaming
NASA TV at:
https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html#public
NASA YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/nasajpl/live
If you have any trouble with these links try the National Geographic website where they are also streaming the live feed on NASA LIVE ON USTREAM at:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/09/watch-live-cassini-grand-finale-saturn-space-science/
~ Cassini: A Saturn Odyssey ~
Cassini's epic journey will come to an end on Sept. 15, 2017.
Team members reflect on what has made the NASA/ESA Cassini mission such an epic journey—the extraordinary spacecraft,
tremendous science and historic international collaboration.
tremendous science and historic international collaboration.
To Download the video, please click on Cassini: A Saturn Odyssey
~ Cassini-Huygens By the Numbers ~
August 29, 2017
Wow...Look at what Cassini has achieved!!!
~ Cassini-Huygens By the Numbers ~
~ Some key numbers from the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn ~
2.5 million commands executed.
4.9 billion miles travelled since launch (7.9 billion kilometres)
635 GB science data collected
3,948 science papers published
6 named moons discovered
294 orbits completed
162 targeted flybys of Saturn's moons
453,048 images taken
27 nations participated
360 engine burns
Credit
NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory-Caltech
~ Some key numbers from the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn ~
2.5 million commands executed.
4.9 billion miles travelled since launch (7.9 billion kilometres)
635 GB science data collected
3,948 science papers published
6 named moons discovered
294 orbits completed
162 targeted flybys of Saturn's moons
453,048 images taken
27 nations participated
360 engine burns
Credit
NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory-Caltech
~ Cassini Diving Into History ~
Reported by the European Space Agency
Published on Sep 11, 2017
Following over a decade of ground-breaking discoveries, Cassini is now approaching its mission end. With little fuel left to correct the NASA's spacecraft trajectory, it has been decided to end the mission by plunging it into Saturn’s atmosphere on 15 September 2017. In the process, Cassini will burn up, satisfying planetary protection requirements to avoid possible contamination of any moons of Saturn that could have conditions suitable for life. These include Saturn’s largest moon Titan and Enceladus, which has a liquid ocean under its icy crust.
The grand finale is not only a spectacular way to complete this extraordinary mission, but will also return a bounty of unique scientific data that was not possible to collect during the previous phases of the mission. Cassini has never ventured into the area between Saturn and its rings before, so the new set of orbits is almost like a whole new mission. These close orbits will provide the highest resolution observations ever achieved of the inner rings and the planet's clouds. The orbits will also give the chance to examine in situ the material in the rings and plasma environment of Saturn. It will also probe the planet's magnetic field at close distances.
This video explains Cassini 's final operations, what the Cassini-Huygens mission has taught us about Saturn,
the potential for life on its moons and the promise of more science to come.
More about Cassini-Huygens:
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Cassini-Huygens
Published on Sep 11, 2017
Following over a decade of ground-breaking discoveries, Cassini is now approaching its mission end. With little fuel left to correct the NASA's spacecraft trajectory, it has been decided to end the mission by plunging it into Saturn’s atmosphere on 15 September 2017. In the process, Cassini will burn up, satisfying planetary protection requirements to avoid possible contamination of any moons of Saturn that could have conditions suitable for life. These include Saturn’s largest moon Titan and Enceladus, which has a liquid ocean under its icy crust.
The grand finale is not only a spectacular way to complete this extraordinary mission, but will also return a bounty of unique scientific data that was not possible to collect during the previous phases of the mission. Cassini has never ventured into the area between Saturn and its rings before, so the new set of orbits is almost like a whole new mission. These close orbits will provide the highest resolution observations ever achieved of the inner rings and the planet's clouds. The orbits will also give the chance to examine in situ the material in the rings and plasma environment of Saturn. It will also probe the planet's magnetic field at close distances.
This video explains Cassini 's final operations, what the Cassini-Huygens mission has taught us about Saturn,
the potential for life on its moons and the promise of more science to come.
More about Cassini-Huygens:
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Cassini-Huygens
~ Cassini: The Wonder of Saturn ~
Published on Aug 24, 2017
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
NASA’s Cassini spacecraft has explored the Saturn system since 2004, re-writing our understanding of the giant planet, its rings, moons and magnetosphere. For 13 years the spacecraft’s incredible, truly otherworldly images have revealed the wonder of Saturn in surprising, often awe-inspiring ways. Cassini is planetary exploration at its finest, proving that to truly reveal the grandeur of a world, there is no substitute for actually going there. For more information about the Cassini mission to Saturn, visit https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
NASA’s Cassini spacecraft has explored the Saturn system since 2004, re-writing our understanding of the giant planet, its rings, moons and magnetosphere. For 13 years the spacecraft’s incredible, truly otherworldly images have revealed the wonder of Saturn in surprising, often awe-inspiring ways. Cassini is planetary exploration at its finest, proving that to truly reveal the grandeur of a world, there is no substitute for actually going there. For more information about the Cassini mission to Saturn, visit https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/
~ Why Cassini Matters ~
The Cassini-Huygens mission is a joint endeavor of NASA
ESA (the European Space Agency),
and the Italian Space Agency
'And is the first mission to orbit Saturn and explore its environs in detail'
The mission was conceived from the beginning as an international endeavor, in 1982, just after the two NASA Voyager spacecraft flew past Saturn. The Voyager flybys whetted the appetites of planetary scientists for more in-depth exploration, particularly with regard to the mysterious moon Titan. Launched in 1997, Cassini has been touring the Saturn system since arriving there in 2004, performing a detailed,
up-close study of the planet, its rings and moons.
The mission delivered ESA's Huygens probe to Titan in 2005, where it performed the first descent and landing on a world in the outer solar system. In complement to Huygens' dazzling revelations about Titan, the Cassini orbiter performed 127 of its own close flybys of Titan
(with many more distant encounters).
By the end of its mission, the Cassini spacecraft will have observed almost half of a Saturn year, which is 29 Earth years long. The four seasons of Saturn's year last about seven Earth years apiece, and upon Cassini's arrival at Saturn, the planet's northern hemisphere was just beginning to emerge from winter. Following its initial, four-year tour, Cassini's mission was extended two more years, to enable the spacecraft to observe changes -- particularly in the rings -- as Saturn reached equinox and the Sun shone edge-on to the rings. After equinox, Cassini was granted an additional seven-year extension. This enabled scientists to follow up on their earlier discoveries at Enceladus and Titan, and watch as summer sunlight came to the northern hemisphere of Saturn and its moons, while winter darkness embraced the south.
The findings of the Cassini mission have revolutionized our understanding of Saturn, its complex rings, the amazing assortment of moons and the planet’s dynamic magnetic environment. The most distant planetary orbiter ever launched, Cassini started making astonishing discoveries immediately upon arrival and continues today. Icy jets shoot from the tiny moon Enceladus. Titan’s hydrocarbon lakes and seas are dominated by liquid ethane and methane, and complex pre-biotic chemicals form in the atmosphere and rain to the surface. Three-dimensional structures tower above Saturn’s rings, and a giant Saturn storm circled the entire planet for most of a year. Cassini’s findings at Saturn have also fundamentally altered many of our concepts of how planets form around stars.
When Cassini ends, it will leave a rich scientific and engineering legacy.
~ Nine Ways Cassini-Huygens Matters ~
To find out more please go to NASA’s Cassini website at:
https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/grand-finale/why-cassini-matters/
ESA (the European Space Agency),
and the Italian Space Agency
'And is the first mission to orbit Saturn and explore its environs in detail'
The mission was conceived from the beginning as an international endeavor, in 1982, just after the two NASA Voyager spacecraft flew past Saturn. The Voyager flybys whetted the appetites of planetary scientists for more in-depth exploration, particularly with regard to the mysterious moon Titan. Launched in 1997, Cassini has been touring the Saturn system since arriving there in 2004, performing a detailed,
up-close study of the planet, its rings and moons.
The mission delivered ESA's Huygens probe to Titan in 2005, where it performed the first descent and landing on a world in the outer solar system. In complement to Huygens' dazzling revelations about Titan, the Cassini orbiter performed 127 of its own close flybys of Titan
(with many more distant encounters).
By the end of its mission, the Cassini spacecraft will have observed almost half of a Saturn year, which is 29 Earth years long. The four seasons of Saturn's year last about seven Earth years apiece, and upon Cassini's arrival at Saturn, the planet's northern hemisphere was just beginning to emerge from winter. Following its initial, four-year tour, Cassini's mission was extended two more years, to enable the spacecraft to observe changes -- particularly in the rings -- as Saturn reached equinox and the Sun shone edge-on to the rings. After equinox, Cassini was granted an additional seven-year extension. This enabled scientists to follow up on their earlier discoveries at Enceladus and Titan, and watch as summer sunlight came to the northern hemisphere of Saturn and its moons, while winter darkness embraced the south.
The findings of the Cassini mission have revolutionized our understanding of Saturn, its complex rings, the amazing assortment of moons and the planet’s dynamic magnetic environment. The most distant planetary orbiter ever launched, Cassini started making astonishing discoveries immediately upon arrival and continues today. Icy jets shoot from the tiny moon Enceladus. Titan’s hydrocarbon lakes and seas are dominated by liquid ethane and methane, and complex pre-biotic chemicals form in the atmosphere and rain to the surface. Three-dimensional structures tower above Saturn’s rings, and a giant Saturn storm circled the entire planet for most of a year. Cassini’s findings at Saturn have also fundamentally altered many of our concepts of how planets form around stars.
When Cassini ends, it will leave a rich scientific and engineering legacy.
~ Nine Ways Cassini-Huygens Matters ~
To find out more please go to NASA’s Cassini website at:
https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/grand-finale/why-cassini-matters/
~ Cassini’s final year at Saturn ends in spectacularly on the 15th September 2017 ~
Published on Apr 4, 2017 by NASA
The final chapter in a remarkable mission of exploration and discovery, Cassini's Grand Finale is in many ways like a brand new mission. Twenty-two times, NASA's Cassini spacecraft will dive through the unexplored space between Saturn and its rings. What we learn from these ultra-close passes over the planet could be some of the most exciting revelations ever returned by the long-lived spacecraft. This animated video tells the story of Cassini's final, daring assignment and looks back at what the mission has accomplished.
For more about the making of this video, including the science behind the imagery, see the feature at:
https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/3016/making-cassinis-grand-finale/
The final chapter in a remarkable mission of exploration and discovery, Cassini's Grand Finale is in many ways like a brand new mission. Twenty-two times, NASA's Cassini spacecraft will dive through the unexplored space between Saturn and its rings. What we learn from these ultra-close passes over the planet could be some of the most exciting revelations ever returned by the long-lived spacecraft. This animated video tells the story of Cassini's final, daring assignment and looks back at what the mission has accomplished.
For more about the making of this video, including the science behind the imagery, see the feature at:
https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/3016/making-cassinis-grand-finale/
~ Cassini’s final year at Saturn by Noeleen Lowndes ~
Well this is it… after nearly 20 years in space, on the 15th September 2017 the Cassini spacecraft will plunge into the giant planets atmosphere and hopefully stay together in one piece long enough to show us the first ever images of Saturn’s turbulent atmosphere, and information on the mass and structure of those astonishing rings.
It seems so sad to say goodbye to this incredible robotic explorer, but on the other hand the legacy it leaves behind from all the scientific discoveries and incredible images taken by the Cassini spacecraft and the Huygens probe, will keep the astronomical community learning about Saturn and its moons for many years to come.
Just this week on the 13th April, NASA released that scientists have discovered the spectrum of molecular Hydrogen among the icy material jetting out from the small moon Enceladus. Wow, that’s an outstanding discovery in the search for life in our Solar System.
You can read all the stunning new details about it at:
https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/3023/hydrothermal-activity/
But the Cassini mission has not ended just yet, over the next 4 months it will be like a brand new mission for the spacecraft, where it will dive down into the rings 22 times (starting on the 26th April) close to the planets surface before plunging into the planet atmosphere on the 15th September 2017.
Where we will say goodbye forever to this wonderful spacecraft called Cassini…
It seems so sad to say goodbye to this incredible robotic explorer, but on the other hand the legacy it leaves behind from all the scientific discoveries and incredible images taken by the Cassini spacecraft and the Huygens probe, will keep the astronomical community learning about Saturn and its moons for many years to come.
Just this week on the 13th April, NASA released that scientists have discovered the spectrum of molecular Hydrogen among the icy material jetting out from the small moon Enceladus. Wow, that’s an outstanding discovery in the search for life in our Solar System.
You can read all the stunning new details about it at:
https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/3023/hydrothermal-activity/
But the Cassini mission has not ended just yet, over the next 4 months it will be like a brand new mission for the spacecraft, where it will dive down into the rings 22 times (starting on the 26th April) close to the planets surface before plunging into the planet atmosphere on the 15th September 2017.
Where we will say goodbye forever to this wonderful spacecraft called Cassini…
~ Luminary lectures at the Gold Coast libraries in 2017 ~
On Wednesday evening 19th April 2017 at the Broadbeach Library (Gold Coast)
~ Please book online ~
~ NASA’s Cassini spacecraft mission to Saturn on the 19th April 2017 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm ~
Presented by Noeleen Lowndes (SOC member in Australia)
I will be giving a presentation on the Cassini mission at the Broadbeach Library on Wednesday evening the 19th April 2017…this is my first SOC event for 2017 before Saturn is back in our skies for opposition on the 15th June.
If you live on the Gold Coast in Queensland please come along and hear all about this most amazing mission to Saturn, after nearly 20 years this incredible mission will end spectacularly on the 15th September when the Cassini spacecraft will plunge into the planet atmosphere!
Contact the library to book a seat at:
http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/library/luminary-lectures-at-the-library-11686.html
~ Cassini Grand Finale presentation at the Broadbeach Library on the Gold Coast ~
~ Poster for the Event ~
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~ SOC event at the Broadbeach Library presented by Noeleen Lowndes ~
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~ Cassini Grand Finale presentation at the Broadbeach Library on the Gold Coast ~
What a great evening it was at the Broadbeach library when over 80 very interested people came to see and hear all about the latest news from the amazing mission to Saturn by the Cassini spacecraft.
There's more about the evening on my Astro Blog at:
http://www.mystardustobservatory.com/astro-blog/cassinis-grand-finale-at-the-broadbeach-library-on-the-gold-coast
What a great evening it was at the Broadbeach library when over 80 very interested people came to see and hear all about the latest news from the amazing mission to Saturn by the Cassini spacecraft.
There's more about the evening on my Astro Blog at:
http://www.mystardustobservatory.com/astro-blog/cassinis-grand-finale-at-the-broadbeach-library-on-the-gold-coast
~ The Magnificent Planet Saturn in 2016 ~
Saturn is now back in our evenings skies, and this year Saturn's stunning rings are fully on display for you to enjoy as the northern hemisphere of the planet is now titled toward us here on Earth.
Opposition this year is on the 3rd June and Saturn has now moved slightly into the constellation of Ophiuchus, but it’s still meandering very close to the stars of Scorpius.
Saturn is very easy to find in 2016, because it appears not far away from the red super giant star Antares in the constellation of Scorpius. Also, the brilliant red planet Mars is doing a celestial dance going back and forth in the same area from March to September, as Mars comes to opposition on The 22nd May 2016. (Opposition means that the planets will be on the same side as the Sun as our Earth so Saturn and Mars will be at there closest to our planet and at there brightest).
So over the coming months Saturn, Mars and Antares will make some beautiful celestial triangles in the night sky, which will make for some pretty viewings and photographs. So here’s hoping the weather’s kind to us and we see this spectacular celestial show :-)
The Science at NASA story is at: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2016/red-and-golden-planets-opposition/
Opposition this year is on the 3rd June and Saturn has now moved slightly into the constellation of Ophiuchus, but it’s still meandering very close to the stars of Scorpius.
Saturn is very easy to find in 2016, because it appears not far away from the red super giant star Antares in the constellation of Scorpius. Also, the brilliant red planet Mars is doing a celestial dance going back and forth in the same area from March to September, as Mars comes to opposition on The 22nd May 2016. (Opposition means that the planets will be on the same side as the Sun as our Earth so Saturn and Mars will be at there closest to our planet and at there brightest).
So over the coming months Saturn, Mars and Antares will make some beautiful celestial triangles in the night sky, which will make for some pretty viewings and photographs. So here’s hoping the weather’s kind to us and we see this spectacular celestial show :-)
The Science at NASA story is at: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2016/red-and-golden-planets-opposition/
~ NASA’s Saturn Observation Campaign for 2016 ~
Like Earth, Saturn is tilted on its axis: Bookmark courtesy of JPL (NASA)
I’ll be out and about again this year presenting all the new discoveries and images that the Cassini spacecraft has taken and also showing the real planet in the night sky to the community. I’ll also organised with my club members from the Southern Astronomical Society another ‘Saturn in the Park’ event at Paradise Point for the month of June…details will be posted here on my website and also on our clubs website at http://sas.org.au
Now the sad news, the Cassini Mission will end next year on the 15th of September 2017, it will have been nearly 20 years since the spacecraft left Earth in 1997 and now NASA has decided that this incredible mission is to end.
This new phase of the mission is called The Grand Finale, and in itself will be like a whole new thrilling mission for the Cassini spacecraft. The project scientists are going to take the spacecraft to unbelievable positions above the poles of Saturn where Cassini will plunge down within the inner rings 22 times before crashing into the atmosphere where it will be vaporized by the huge pressures from within the planet’s body…this is the only safe way to destroy the spacecraft without polluting the pristine environment of the icy moons and the magnificent rings. It will be a very sad day for all of us that have been involved with the mission, but “O My’ what an incredible mission its been!!!
The science that the Cassini spacecraft will provide from this very bold manoeuvre will be another magnificent milestone for this incredible spacecraft, and if all goes well, there will be many more new and exciting discoveries that will have been made about the inner rings and the atmosphere of Saturn.
I’ve been involved with this mission since 2002 and it has been an absolutely incredible experience, to be daily seeing new discoveries from another world and trying to comprehend it is truly a special privilege…I can’t really imagine how some of these mission scientist at NASA sleep at night with the excitement of it all.
I must also say while I’m being a bit sentimental… that having the opportunity to share my time and equipment to show so many people there first views of Saturn has been the most rewarding and happy experience ever…but it’s not over yet, I’ve still go all of 2016 and 2017 to tell everyone about this most AMAZING mission ever that NASA as ever done…Cassini rules the Solar System!!!
Please see some of my pictures and events below for the SOC campaign for 2016 :-)
Now the sad news, the Cassini Mission will end next year on the 15th of September 2017, it will have been nearly 20 years since the spacecraft left Earth in 1997 and now NASA has decided that this incredible mission is to end.
This new phase of the mission is called The Grand Finale, and in itself will be like a whole new thrilling mission for the Cassini spacecraft. The project scientists are going to take the spacecraft to unbelievable positions above the poles of Saturn where Cassini will plunge down within the inner rings 22 times before crashing into the atmosphere where it will be vaporized by the huge pressures from within the planet’s body…this is the only safe way to destroy the spacecraft without polluting the pristine environment of the icy moons and the magnificent rings. It will be a very sad day for all of us that have been involved with the mission, but “O My’ what an incredible mission its been!!!
The science that the Cassini spacecraft will provide from this very bold manoeuvre will be another magnificent milestone for this incredible spacecraft, and if all goes well, there will be many more new and exciting discoveries that will have been made about the inner rings and the atmosphere of Saturn.
I’ve been involved with this mission since 2002 and it has been an absolutely incredible experience, to be daily seeing new discoveries from another world and trying to comprehend it is truly a special privilege…I can’t really imagine how some of these mission scientist at NASA sleep at night with the excitement of it all.
I must also say while I’m being a bit sentimental… that having the opportunity to share my time and equipment to show so many people there first views of Saturn has been the most rewarding and happy experience ever…but it’s not over yet, I’ve still go all of 2016 and 2017 to tell everyone about this most AMAZING mission ever that NASA as ever done…Cassini rules the Solar System!!!
Please see some of my pictures and events below for the SOC campaign for 2016 :-)
The Cassini Spacecraft has now been exploring the Saturnian system for 12 years and these are the incredible numbers released by NASA for 2016.
~ Cassini 12 years at Saturn ~
~ Exploration of Saturn & the Solar System ~
Broadbeach Library on Thursday 12th May 2016 from 5.30pm - 7.00pm
~ Gold Coast City Libraries Calendar of Events Booklet April - May 2016 ~
https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/library/default.html
Presented by Noeleen Lowndes
NASA’s Saturn Observation Campaign Member in Australia
https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov
http://sas.org.au
My visit to the Broadbeach Library on the 12th May was very well received, with the presentation room full of people wanting to hear all about the incredible mission to Saturn by the Cassini Spacecraft and all the other discoveries being made at the planets in the Solar System.
Presented by Noeleen Lowndes
NASA’s Saturn Observation Campaign Member in Australia
https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov
http://sas.org.au
My visit to the Broadbeach Library on the 12th May was very well received, with the presentation room full of people wanting to hear all about the incredible mission to Saturn by the Cassini Spacecraft and all the other discoveries being made at the planets in the Solar System.
~ Saturn is now back in view in our evening sky ~
I took my camera down onto the beach on Friday the 13th May and captured a lovely image of Saturn and Mars rising in the east above the ocean in the constellation of Scorpio at Kingscliff in NSW.
Mars and Saturn are now at opposition, which means that both planets are at there closest to Earth and are on the same side as the Sun as us. Mars will be travelling quite quickly back and forth through the constellation of Scorpius (The Scorpion) and Saturn will slowly meander through the stars of Ophiuchus (The Serpent-bearer) in the coming months.
I took this image below with a Canon DSLR 70D camera and a Tokina 11-16mm lens @11mm, the exposure time was 30seconds at F2.8 and ISO 1600.
Mars and Saturn are now at opposition, which means that both planets are at there closest to Earth and are on the same side as the Sun as us. Mars will be travelling quite quickly back and forth through the constellation of Scorpius (The Scorpion) and Saturn will slowly meander through the stars of Ophiuchus (The Serpent-bearer) in the coming months.
I took this image below with a Canon DSLR 70D camera and a Tokina 11-16mm lens @11mm, the exposure time was 30seconds at F2.8 and ISO 1600.
~ Finding Saturn in the night sky for the month of May 2016 ~
I always use the excellent educational star charts from Skymaps.com by Kym Thalassoudis.
Please go to the website below to download the star chart for your latitude; I’m in Australia so I download the Southern Hemisphere start chart at:
http://www.skymaps.com/downloads.html
Please go to the website below to download the star chart for your latitude; I’m in Australia so I download the Southern Hemisphere start chart at:
http://www.skymaps.com/downloads.html
~ SkyMap for May 2016 ~
~ Spectacular Saturn and Mars on show in the eastern sky ~
Saturn is now looking stunning in the night sky in May 2016 and it’s not that far away from Mars on the ecliptic with its glorious rings now nearly fully open and showing the Cassini ring beautifully.
The magnificent red planet Mars is also putting on a spectacular show in the eastern sky near the crown of Scorpius (The Scorpion). I can’t believe I’m seeing so much detail on the planets surface and I think it’s only going to get better over the next few nights as the dusty red planet reaches opposition.
You must go outside have a look at this planetary show…it’s just wonderful :-)
My images were taken with a Meade LX200 10inch telescope and an Orion Deep Space Video Camera with a 5x Barlow lens attached that saves avi movies, which are loaded and stacked in RegiStax6 and processed in Photoshop.
The magnificent red planet Mars is also putting on a spectacular show in the eastern sky near the crown of Scorpius (The Scorpion). I can’t believe I’m seeing so much detail on the planets surface and I think it’s only going to get better over the next few nights as the dusty red planet reaches opposition.
You must go outside have a look at this planetary show…it’s just wonderful :-)
My images were taken with a Meade LX200 10inch telescope and an Orion Deep Space Video Camera with a 5x Barlow lens attached that saves avi movies, which are loaded and stacked in RegiStax6 and processed in Photoshop.
~ Saturn & Mars in May 2016 ~
~ Amazing Saturn at the Stardust Junior Astronomy Club ~
All the children had a great day at the Runaway Bay library learning all about the amazing mission to Saturn by the Cassini spacecraft that’s currently orbiting the beautiful Saturn and many of its mysterious moons.
In a weeks time on the 11th June, all the families will be coming along to our clubs ‘Saturn in the Park’ event to see the real planet in the night sky through many large telescopes…and they are all very excited about that :-)
The activity sheet that I used for the Saturn lesson is from the ESA kids PAXI Fun Book called ‘Explore the Universe’ you will find many more fun space activities in this book for your students and children to enjoy.
Please go to the European Space Agency’s website to download a copy at:
http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2014/10/Activity_book
In a weeks time on the 11th June, all the families will be coming along to our clubs ‘Saturn in the Park’ event to see the real planet in the night sky through many large telescopes…and they are all very excited about that :-)
The activity sheet that I used for the Saturn lesson is from the ESA kids PAXI Fun Book called ‘Explore the Universe’ you will find many more fun space activities in this book for your students and children to enjoy.
Please go to the European Space Agency’s website to download a copy at:
http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2014/10/Activity_book
~ Saturn in the Park on the 11th June 2016 ~
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I'm all ready to show everyone beautiful Saturn in the night sky :-)
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Wow...little Audrey can see Saturn with her mum Rachael and dad Brendan
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~ An early group photo of SAS members (Left) Hans, Brendan, Ralph, Kevin, Alison,
Noeleen, Warwick & Ray ~
~ Saturn in the Park ~
Members from the Southern Astronomical Society invite you to a viewing of the magnificent planets Saturn, Jupiter and Mars
along with viewings of the Moon through our large telescopes.
~ Come along to the park for a wonderful night under the stars ~
Date: Saturday the 11th June from 6.00 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.
Place: Esplanade North Park, The Esplanade at Paradise Point
(Opposite Mallard Ave on the beachfront)
For more information please go to our clubs website at:
http://sas.org.au
Or contact Noeleen Lowndes
(President) Southern Astronomical Society (Gold Coast)
*Unfortunately if the weather is cloudy the event will be cancelled*
Members from the Southern Astronomical Society invite you to a viewing of the magnificent planets Saturn, Jupiter and Mars
along with viewings of the Moon through our large telescopes.
~ Come along to the park for a wonderful night under the stars ~
Date: Saturday the 11th June from 6.00 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.
Place: Esplanade North Park, The Esplanade at Paradise Point
(Opposite Mallard Ave on the beachfront)
For more information please go to our clubs website at:
http://sas.org.au
Or contact Noeleen Lowndes
(President) Southern Astronomical Society (Gold Coast)
*Unfortunately if the weather is cloudy the event will be cancelled*
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~ Members from the Southern Astronomical Society show Saturn in the night sky ~
Our clubs Saturn in the Park event turned out to be a beautiful clear night with many hundreds of people coming along to look through our telescopes at the beautiful planet Saturn in the sky…everyone had a wonderful night :-)
~ Images of Saturn, Mars and Jupiter taken in June 2016 ~
During the month of June 2016, I had the wonderful opportunity to take some of my best images yet of not only the planet Saturn but also Mars and Jupiter. I was not happy with the older Orion Deep Space Video camera that I was using and did not want to miss out on getting this fantastic planetary line-up in 2016.
I brought the new ZWO ASI 120 MC-S Colour CCD astronomy camera, which was very easy to use, but you have to take the images with your computer out in the field.
The images were saved in an AVI file and then imported into Registax6 where the movie file images are stacked which produces an image from hundreds or thousands of images captured.
Once you have the final image, you can then go to the wavelet feature within the program to do more processing. There’s a bit of time working out which settings to use, but after playing around with the settings for a while it’s just amazing what detail is captured.
(When I do my tutorial page, I’ll outline the process)
I always use my Meade LX200 10inch telescope to take the planetary images, the bigger the aperture the more resolution with the images.
Saturn’s rings are now nearly wide open…next year in 2017 they will be fully open wide with no planet shadow on the rings.
I brought the new ZWO ASI 120 MC-S Colour CCD astronomy camera, which was very easy to use, but you have to take the images with your computer out in the field.
The images were saved in an AVI file and then imported into Registax6 where the movie file images are stacked which produces an image from hundreds or thousands of images captured.
Once you have the final image, you can then go to the wavelet feature within the program to do more processing. There’s a bit of time working out which settings to use, but after playing around with the settings for a while it’s just amazing what detail is captured.
(When I do my tutorial page, I’ll outline the process)
I always use my Meade LX200 10inch telescope to take the planetary images, the bigger the aperture the more resolution with the images.
Saturn’s rings are now nearly wide open…next year in 2017 they will be fully open wide with no planet shadow on the rings.
~ Saturn night in September at St Andrews Lutheran College on the Gold Coast ~
~ All the grade 3 students loved looking at the Moon and Saturn through my telescope ~
~ Saturn on the Mountain 10th & 11th September 2016 ~
~ Saturn on the Mountain ~
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~ Wow looking at Saturn ~
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~ Saturn on the Mountain ~
Every year I’m invited to be a guest speaker at the beautiful world heritage O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat at Lamington National Park in Queensland.
This year on the 10th and the 11th of September, we had an amazing weekend on the mountain to celebrate Saturn in the night sky, where a lot of the guests enjoyed learning all about the Cassini Mission and seeing the real planet Saturn through a large telescope in the night sky.
This was a complimentary event put on by the resort for the enjoyment of all there guests and staff and I’m very proud to have been invited to give this presentation on Saturn at one of the most beautiful places in the world :-)
https://oreillys.com.au
~ Please see some images from the weekend below ~
Every year I’m invited to be a guest speaker at the beautiful world heritage O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat at Lamington National Park in Queensland.
This year on the 10th and the 11th of September, we had an amazing weekend on the mountain to celebrate Saturn in the night sky, where a lot of the guests enjoyed learning all about the Cassini Mission and seeing the real planet Saturn through a large telescope in the night sky.
This was a complimentary event put on by the resort for the enjoyment of all there guests and staff and I’m very proud to have been invited to give this presentation on Saturn at one of the most beautiful places in the world :-)
https://oreillys.com.au
~ Please see some images from the weekend below ~
~ SOC event 'Saturn on the Mountain' at O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat ~
~ NASA’s Saturn Observation Campaign for 2015 ~
By SOC Member Noeleen Lowndes
The best time to view Saturn in the night sky this year will be at the time of opposition during the month of May, you can also see Saturn a lot earlier than this if you’re prepared to get up in the early hours of the morning.
At opposition, the planet Saturn will be at its brightest and closest to us here on Earth because of the perfect alignment between the Sun, Earth and Saturn that are all in line on the same side of the Sun…that's why at opposition we see Saturn rise in the eastern sky at sunset and set in the west at sunrise. As the days and weeks go by after opposition, the Earth quickly moves along in its orbit around the Sun and leaves Saturn behind…but you have plenty of time to view this beautiful planet for the next couple of months in the evening sky :-)
My first images of Saturn this year were taken in the early hours of the morning during April at my Stardust Observatory. I observed that Saturn was shinning with its bright golden light among the arc of curved stars in the crown of Scorpius, Saturn was right next to the double star (Beta) Scorpii. …Which looked quite remarkable!
I used my tracking Meade LX200 10 inch telescope to take large images of Saturn using my Orion Deep Space Video Camera and a 2x Barlow lens for more magnification. To take the wide field images to show Saturn’s position in Scorpius, I attached my DSLR camera with a wide field lens on top of the tracking telescope and took some short exposures that I stacked together.
At opposition, the planet Saturn will be at its brightest and closest to us here on Earth because of the perfect alignment between the Sun, Earth and Saturn that are all in line on the same side of the Sun…that's why at opposition we see Saturn rise in the eastern sky at sunset and set in the west at sunrise. As the days and weeks go by after opposition, the Earth quickly moves along in its orbit around the Sun and leaves Saturn behind…but you have plenty of time to view this beautiful planet for the next couple of months in the evening sky :-)
My first images of Saturn this year were taken in the early hours of the morning during April at my Stardust Observatory. I observed that Saturn was shinning with its bright golden light among the arc of curved stars in the crown of Scorpius, Saturn was right next to the double star (Beta) Scorpii. …Which looked quite remarkable!
I used my tracking Meade LX200 10 inch telescope to take large images of Saturn using my Orion Deep Space Video Camera and a 2x Barlow lens for more magnification. To take the wide field images to show Saturn’s position in Scorpius, I attached my DSLR camera with a wide field lens on top of the tracking telescope and took some short exposures that I stacked together.
Saturn’s rings are now fully on show with the northern summer hemisphere on view.
~ A perfect time to see the stunning rings of this beautiful planet in our solar system ~
~ Magnificent Saturn April 2015 ~
~ Beautiful Saturn ~
Image taken 17th April 2015 through My Meade LX200 10inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and an Orion Deep Space Video Camera with a 2x barlow lens, avi movie stacked in RegiStack 6 and lightly processed in PS CS4.
Image taken 17th April 2015 through My Meade LX200 10inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and an Orion Deep Space Video Camera with a 2x barlow lens, avi movie stacked in RegiStack 6 and lightly processed in PS CS4.
~ Saturn in the crown of Scorpius 17th April 2015 ~
~ Saturn in the crown of Scorpius 17th April 2015 ~
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~ Outline of Saturn in the crown of Scorpius 17th April 2015 ~
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The information for my images:
~ Saturn in Scorpius ~
A quick wide field image to show where Saturn was in the Head of Scorpius on the 17th April 2015, 6x20 second images taken with a Canon 700D camera and Tokina 11-16mm lens @15mm ISO3200 and the image is cropped.
The second image is marked to show the outline of Scorpius (The Scorpion)
~ Saturn in Scorpius ~
A quick wide field image to show where Saturn was in the Head of Scorpius on the 17th April 2015, 6x20 second images taken with a Canon 700D camera and Tokina 11-16mm lens @15mm ISO3200 and the image is cropped.
The second image is marked to show the outline of Scorpius (The Scorpion)
What will the Cassini spacecraft be up to this year?
After all the excitement of celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Cassini spacecrafts arrival at Saturn in 2014, the exploration of the Saturnian system continues…
To find the full Saturn tour dates for the spacecrafts events for 2015 please go to the Cassini website at:
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/saturntourdates/saturntourdates2015/
To find the full Saturn tour dates for the spacecrafts events for 2015 please go to the Cassini website at:
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/saturntourdates/saturntourdates2015/
~ Saturn in the night sky for the month of June 2015 ~
Saturn has now moved a little away from the curve of stars in the crown of Scorpius as seen in my image taken on the 20th June 2015 at my Stardust Observatory at Leyburn.
The images were taken with a Canon 40D with a 10-20mm lens attached set at 20mm. The ISO was 800 and the focal length f5.6 that required me to take longer exposures to capture the starlight.
The4 camera was attached to the top of my Meade LX200 10inch telescope that was polar aligned and tracking the night sky.
There are 6 x10 minute subs and 6x10 minute dark frames, which were stacked in DSS (Deep Sky Stacker) and processed in PS CS4.
The images were taken with a Canon 40D with a 10-20mm lens attached set at 20mm. The ISO was 800 and the focal length f5.6 that required me to take longer exposures to capture the starlight.
The4 camera was attached to the top of my Meade LX200 10inch telescope that was polar aligned and tracking the night sky.
There are 6 x10 minute subs and 6x10 minute dark frames, which were stacked in DSS (Deep Sky Stacker) and processed in PS CS4.
~ Saturn in the Constellation of Scorpius (The Scorpion) 20th June 2015 ~
~ Saturn in the Constellation of Scorpius 20th June 2015 ~
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~ Outline of Saturn in Scorpius (The Scorpion) 20th June 2015 ~
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~ NASA's Cassini's Mission Top 10 Images and Science Results of 2015 ~
~ Montage compiled by Noeleen Lowndes (All images courtesy of NASA & ESA) ~
I’ve made up a montage from some of the images and science results of 2015.
But please go to the Cassini website to read all about the new discoveries made this year at:
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/cassinifeatures/topimages2015/
But please go to the Cassini website to read all about the new discoveries made this year at:
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/cassinifeatures/topimages2015/
The European Space Agency (ESA) have released 10th anniversary video of Huygens landing on Titan
~ HUYGENS'S DESCENT TO TITAN'S SURFACE ~
The European Space Agency (ESA) have also release a 10th anniversary video from the images taken as there remarkable Huygens probe was released from the Cassini spacecraft on the 12th January 2005 to cruise down onto the surface of Saturn’s largest moon Titan.
The European Space Agency (ESA) have also release a 10th anniversary video from the images taken as there remarkable Huygens probe was released from the Cassini spacecraft on the 12th January 2005 to cruise down onto the surface of Saturn’s largest moon Titan.
Date: 14 January 2015
Copyright: ESA/NASA/JPL/University of Arizona
On 15 October 1997, NASA's Cassini orbiter embarked on an epic, seven-year voyage to the Saturnian system. Hitching a ride was ESA's Huygens probe, destined for Saturn's largest moon, Titan. The final chapter of the interplanetary trek for Huygens began on 25 December 2004 when it deployed from the orbiter for a 22-day solo cruise toward the haze-shrouded moon. Plunging into Titan’s atmosphere, on 14 January 2005, the probe survived the hazardous 2 hour 27 minute descent to touch down safely on Titan’s frozen surface.
More information on the video can be found at:
http://sci.esa.int/cassini-huygens/39218-huygens-descent-to-titan-surface/
The Main EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY website is at: http://www.esa.int/ESA
Copyright: ESA/NASA/JPL/University of Arizona
On 15 October 1997, NASA's Cassini orbiter embarked on an epic, seven-year voyage to the Saturnian system. Hitching a ride was ESA's Huygens probe, destined for Saturn's largest moon, Titan. The final chapter of the interplanetary trek for Huygens began on 25 December 2004 when it deployed from the orbiter for a 22-day solo cruise toward the haze-shrouded moon. Plunging into Titan’s atmosphere, on 14 January 2005, the probe survived the hazardous 2 hour 27 minute descent to touch down safely on Titan’s frozen surface.
More information on the video can be found at:
http://sci.esa.int/cassini-huygens/39218-huygens-descent-to-titan-surface/
The Main EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY website is at: http://www.esa.int/ESA
~ NASA’s Saturn Observation Campaign (SOC) for 2014 ~
~ Happy 10th Anniversary to the Cassini Spacecraft and all the Cassini Team at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) ~
Lots of best wishes from Noeleen Lowndes (SOC) team member in Australia and friends :-)
Lots of best wishes from Noeleen Lowndes (SOC) team member in Australia and friends :-)
~ Congratulations to NASA/JPL on Cassini’s 10th Anniversary at Saturn ~
Above, you will see a collage of some of my recent events where everyone has enjoyed looking at and learning all about the new discoveries being made at Saturn by the Cassini Spacecraft and wishing the Cassini team at JPL a happy 10th Anniversary.
This year is a special milestone for the Cassini Mission in the fact that it’s now been 10 years since the spacecraft arrived Saturn. On the 30 June 2004 after nearly a 7-year journey through the solar system the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft finally arrived at the planet. In 2004 it had to perform a complicated Saturn Orbital Insertion (SOI) manoeuvre to be captured by the planets gravity so it could safely go into orbit about the planet. This was executed perfectly for the spacecraft to begin its amazing tour of the Saturnian system.
It’s now expected that the Cassini spacecraft will continue its incredible mission of discovery until the year 2017…so my role as a SOC member will also continue, where I'll give presentations to the community on all the latest discoveries being made by the spacecraft and show this magnificent planet to everyone through my large telescope.
This year is a special milestone for the Cassini Mission in the fact that it’s now been 10 years since the spacecraft arrived Saturn. On the 30 June 2004 after nearly a 7-year journey through the solar system the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft finally arrived at the planet. In 2004 it had to perform a complicated Saturn Orbital Insertion (SOI) manoeuvre to be captured by the planets gravity so it could safely go into orbit about the planet. This was executed perfectly for the spacecraft to begin its amazing tour of the Saturnian system.
It’s now expected that the Cassini spacecraft will continue its incredible mission of discovery until the year 2017…so my role as a SOC member will also continue, where I'll give presentations to the community on all the latest discoveries being made by the spacecraft and show this magnificent planet to everyone through my large telescope.
~ Cassini Mission Timeline ~
I think Saturn will always have the ‘Wow’ factor, because of its stunning rings and its pretty soft golden colour and the way it just seems to float there in the night sky…. nobody ever forgets there first views of this beautiful planet through a telescope. The image below is the stunning view of Saturn as the
Cassini spacecraft approached the planet on the 9th February 2004
from a distance of 69 million kilometres…Wow!!!
~ Cassini 10 years at Saturn ~
~ These are the Amazing numbers for NASA's Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn since the spacecrafts arrival in 2004 ~
There are now hundreds of thousands of images taken of Saturn and its amazing moons, please go to the main Cassini website to view some of the most stunning image ever to be taken of a planet in our solar system. The main Cassini website is at: http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/
Carolyn Porco the mission imaging specialist at NASA, not only wanted to take scientific images of the Saturnian system, she also wanted to show the full beauty of this planet…in that, she and her imaging team have done the most outstanding job for every person to enjoy the stunning beauty of Saturn and its many amazing moons.
Since my involvement with the SOC campaign which began in 2002, so many spectacular new discoveries have been made at Saturn by the Cassini spacecraft that are just too numerous to mention, so please view this latest video from JPL that shows a preview of some of the most stunning images captured and what’s still to come, you will be absolutely amazed at the beauty of this spectacular planet….
Carolyn Porco the mission imaging specialist at NASA, not only wanted to take scientific images of the Saturnian system, she also wanted to show the full beauty of this planet…in that, she and her imaging team have done the most outstanding job for every person to enjoy the stunning beauty of Saturn and its many amazing moons.
Since my involvement with the SOC campaign which began in 2002, so many spectacular new discoveries have been made at Saturn by the Cassini spacecraft that are just too numerous to mention, so please view this latest video from JPL that shows a preview of some of the most stunning images captured and what’s still to come, you will be absolutely amazed at the beauty of this spectacular planet….
The main Cassini website is at: http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/
The SOC web site is at: http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/education/saturnobservation/
Please find below a selection of images taken from some of my past SOC events…it’s been such a privilege to be part of this wonderful community outreach campaign by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the past 12 years. Special mention must go to my coordinator at JPL, Jane Houston-Jones who has always made sure that I have lots of NASA goodies to hand out at my presentations, thank you Jane :-)
The SOC web site is at: http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/education/saturnobservation/
Please find below a selection of images taken from some of my past SOC events…it’s been such a privilege to be part of this wonderful community outreach campaign by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the past 12 years. Special mention must go to my coordinator at JPL, Jane Houston-Jones who has always made sure that I have lots of NASA goodies to hand out at my presentations, thank you Jane :-)
~ NASA's Saturn Observation Campaign in Australia ~
For me, this montage of images is what the Saturn Observation Campaign has been all about…sharing the delight of the night sky with everyone :-)
More images from past SOC events will follow soon from 2003 onwards....
More images from past SOC events will follow soon from 2003 onwards....
