Cassini beams back stunning new photos of Saturn's hexagonal north polar region
Quote:
Originally Posted by NASA JPL
NASA's Cassini spacecraft has sent to Earth its first views of Saturn's atmosphere since beginning the latest phase of its mission. The new images show scenes from high above Saturn's northern hemisphere, including the planet's intriguing hexagon-shaped jet stream.
Cassini began its new mission phase, called its Ring-Grazing Orbits, on Nov. 30. Each of these weeklong orbits -- 20 in all -- carries the spacecraft high above Saturn's northern hemisphere before sending it skimming past the outer edges of the planet's main rings.
So cool. What's causing this hexagonal shape? Turbulence and rotation? Funny that it makes straight edges.
They don't know the cause but expect that the last 42 orbits and subsequent dive into the planet will give them the answer. I went to briefing recently by Linda Spilker and Earl Maize at the ANU and that question was raised there as well.
Cassini beams back stunning new photos of Saturn's hexagonal north polar region
