FROM REPTILE ROMANCE, WE MOVE TO SOME INTERPLANETARY LOVE AS NASA HAS RELEASED NEW PHOTOS OF SATURN – AND SHE’S SHOWING OFF HER RINGS!
NO, SHE’S NOT ENGAGED! ALTHOUGH I HEAR PLUTO IS SINGLE…
THE SECOND LARGEST PLANET IN OUR SOLAR SYSTEM IS KNOWN FOR ITS BEAUTIFUL RINGS -- MADE OF CHUNKS OF ICE AND ROCK ORBITING AROUND IT.
AND NOW NASA IS GIVING US A LOOK AT SOME OF THE MOST DETAILED PICTURES... EVER TAKEN OF SATURN'S MAIN RINGS.
THESE NEWLY RELEASED IMAGES...CAPTURED IN DECEMBER 2016....BY NASA'S CASSINI SPACECRAFT ARE SOME OF THE CLOSEST-EVER IMAGES OF THE OUTER PARTS OF THE MAIN RINGS.
NASA SAYS CASSINI IS CURRENTLY IN ITS "RING-GRAZING" PHASE OF ORBIT AROUND SATURN AND IS HEADING TOWARDS ITS FINAL PHASE WHEN IT WILL BURN UP IN SATURN'S UPPER ATMOSPHERE LATER THIS YEAR.
SOUNDS LIKE A HUNK OF BURNING LOVE IF YOU ASK ME!
Instructional Links
Website Article: NASA, Close Views Show Saturn's Rings in Unprecedented Detail
Interactive Tutorial: Exploratorium, Saturn, Jewel of the Solar System | Information on Cassisni spacecraft & discoveries about Saturn.
Video: PBS LearningMedia, NASA Planetary Science, Saturn's Rings and Moons | Includes background essay, discussion questions & teaching tips.
Website Article: Nine Planets Just for Kids, Planet Notes, Saturn
Website Article: Astronomy for Kids, Saturn Rings | Includes chart with rings’ info.