NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Spots on Saturn

As Cassini closes in on Saturn, its view is growing sharper with time and now reveals new atmospheric features in the planet's southern hemisphere.

Atmospheric features, such as two small, faint dark spots, visible in the planet's southern hemisphere, will become clearer in the coming months. The spots are located at 38 degrees south latitude.

The spacecraft's narrow angle camera took several exposures on March 8, 2004, which have been combined to create this natural color image. The image contrast and colors have been slightly enhanced to aid visibility.

Moons visible in the lower half of this image are: Mimas (398 kilometers, or 247 miles across) at left, just below the rings; Dione (1,118 kilometers, or 695 miles across) at left, below Mimas; and Enceladus (499 kilometers, 310 miles across) at right. The moons had their brightness enhanced to aid visibility.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute

+ View Full Size Image
+ Weekly Saturn Photos: Feb. 27 | March 5 | March 12 | March 19
+ More Saturn Photos from Planetary Photojournal
+ Visit Cassini-Huygens Web Site