
Cassini’s first dive between Saturn and its rings sent back astounding images and eerie recordings.
Cassini’s first dive between the planet Saturn and its rings has sent back not only some astounding images, but unbelievably eerie sound recordings as well. While there, the spacecraft found mostly open space with little or no obstructions between the outer atmosphere and the inner ring. Based on this, scientists at NASA have huge hopes for the twenty-one dives yet to come, especially Cassini’s next dip.
After Astounding NASA With Its First Dive, Cassini Prepares for a Second One
The photos from Cassini’s first dive are amazing. Towering clouds of gas spiral up toward the brilliant rings. Dozens came back, but only a few have been released so far. More are expected on the next dive.Cassini also recorded audio from the trip. Originally, scientists thought they would hear the sound of dust hitting the ship, which could damage or even destroy the hardy craft. However, they discovered what some are calling “the big empty“.
“Cassini will stay the course,” said project manager Earl Maize of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), “while the scientists work on the mystery of why the dust level is much lower than expected.”