This picture of Saturn, taken by the Cassini spacecraft, is the most dazzling thing I’ve seen in a very long time.

#Saturn #Cassini #Space

@Jen_Lee
Holy cow, that's something. Remember those 3D models in 5th grade science? Now this? <boom, brain shred>

@Jen_Lee

I love what happens aesthetically when we manage to let go of our primate-brain instincts about what "should" be "up".

@Jen_Lee These kids these days and their vertical photos!
Here, I fixed it for the older folks:.
@Jen_Lee Here's another really nice one:
@Jen_Lee You can see the Cassini Division so very clearly, how perfect!

@Jen_Lee

It's fake. Made of plastic. You can clearly see the mold marks.

@Jen_Lee

(This is a very old astronomy joke but I never get tired of making it.)

@passenger @Jen_Lee Plus it would never stand balancing on its side long enough for the photo to be taken.

@undeuxtrois @Jen_Lee

It's hanging from the ceiling by a little string, obviously.

@Jen_Lee If reincarnation is real, I wouldn't mind returning as a gas giant.
@Jen_Lee is surely not real. Looks like CGI
Am loving it anyways
So Far from Home | NASA Solar System Exploration

With this view, Cassini captured one of its last looks at Saturn and its main rings from a distance. The Saturn system has been Cassini's home for 13 years, but that journey is nearing its end.

NASA Solar System Exploration
@Jen_Lee humans have no sense of scale beyond about 100 meters!
@Jen_Lee Amazing how the shadow of the planet falls on the rings and how the planet's night side is lit by the bright side of the rings
@Jen_Lee This looks like a 3D animation from an early Star Trek movie. I love it!
@Jen_Lee This is clearly just the bottom of a 90s ball mouse
@Jen_Lee
I watched this video today about the rings and was stunned by some of the images Cassini has took, but more about what we've learned.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bv8g5xBJSo
How Saturn Got Its Rings | The Planets | Earth Science

YouTube
@Jen_Lee Didn't know that Saturn can look so stunning! And the alt text is so well-written, clear, and beautiful!
@randint that’s so kind of you to say, thank you. This was actually a fun alt text to write. Way more things to say about it than the typical meme I post, lol.
@Jen_Lee Didn't know that Saturn can look so stunning! And the alt text is so well-written, clear, and beautiful!
Now you’re playing with portals.