The complete image is actually a compilation of 141 wide-angle images, which were stitched together to form this complete panorama. The image encompasses over 400,000 miles and includes within it photos of Mars, Venus and the Earth (along with the Moon). That’s a rare feat, since the Sun itself usually obscures the view of Earth from Saturn.
The purpose of taking this image isn’t limited to just its esthetics, however. By studying these images, scientists on the Cassini team are able to learn more about Saturn and its magnificient ring system.
“This mosaic provides a remarkable amount of high-quality data on Saturn’s diffuse rings, revealing all sorts of intriguing structures we are currently trying to understand,” Cassini scientist Matt Hedman, said in a NASA press release.
The Cassini satellite has been studying Saturn and its moons for 9 years now, and NASA expects that its mission will continue until 2017. Hopefully, those years will bring us many more photos like this that are simultaneously beautiful and informative.
“In this one magnificent view, Cassini has delivered to us a universe of marvels,” said Carolyn Porco, Cassini’s imaging team lead said in a statement.
