Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                2019 August 3

                            Mimas in Saturnlight
           Image Credit: Cassini Imaging Team, SSI, JPL, ESA, NASA

   Explanation: Peering from the shadows, the Saturn-facing hemisphere of
   Mimas lies in near darkness alongside a dramatic sunlit crescent. The
   mosaic was captured near the Cassini spacecraft's final close approach
   on January 30, 2017. Cassini's camera was pointed in a nearly sunward
   direction only 45,000 kilometers from Mimas. The result is one of the
   highest resolution views of the icy, crater-pocked, 400 kilometer
   diameter moon. An enhanced version better reveals the Saturn-facing
   hemisphere of the synchronously rotating moon lit by sunlight reflected
   from Saturn itself. To see it, slide your cursor over the image (or
   follow this link). Other Cassini images of Mimas include the small
   moon's large and ominous Herschel Crater.

                     Tomorrow's picture: stranger things
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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                             & Michigan Tech. U.

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