NASA's Cassini spacecraft is now a nearly a year into its extended mission, called Cassini Equinox (after its initial 4-year mission ended in June, 2008). The spacecraft continues to operate in good health, returning amazing images of Saturn, its ring system and moons, and providing new information and science on a regular basis. The mission's name, "Equinox" comes from the upcoming Saturnian equinox in August, 2009, when its equator (and rings) will point directly toward the Sun. The Equinox mission runs through September of 2010, with the possibility of further extensions beyond that. Collected here are 24 more intriguing images from our ringed neighbor. (24 photos total)
Saturn to make its best appearance
of the year
Saturn's opposition, March 21,
marks the best time of year to view
the ringed planet because it lies
closest to Earth and thus appears
its biggest and brightest.
Astronomy
magazine has all the
tools you need to get the most of
this great observing opportunity.
Michael E. Bakich, Senior Editor