Exquisite

The image was taken by the Cassini (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Domenico_Cassini) probe (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/main/). The satellite is on the side of Saturn opposite the sun. This eclipse back lights the limb and rings of Saturn such that the particulars of the rings is apparent in ethereal detail. The faint outermost ring is hauntingly frail and most visible in such a line up of elements. Needless to say, such images help NASA scientists learn more about the rings, exciting on display to Cassini's close-up inspection.

This image is of a vortex at Saturn's south pole. Shadows reveal the topography of the south polar vortex. At high resolution, a new, inner ring of isolated, bright clouds is seen. These clouds are localized regions of convective upwelling, an important clue to understanding how heat energy is transported in Saturn's atmosphere.

The news from Saturn is exciting and fascinating, igniting much new understanding of the planet and of certain of its moons. For more news, great photos and videos visit the Cassini mission page at nasa.gov. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/main/