Today's Image

Bright basin on Tethys

Posted by
Deborah Byrd
and
July 28, 2015
View larger. | Saturn's moon Tethys, as captured by the Cassini spacecraft on May 9, 2015 at a distance of approximately 186,000 miles (300,000 km) from Tethys. Ultraviolet, green and infrared spectral filters were combined to create this color view. North on Tethys (660 miles or 1,062 km across) is up in this view. Image via NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute
View larger. | Tethys, as captured by the Cassini spacecraft on May 9, 2015 at a distance of approximately 186,000 miles (300,000 km) from Tethys. Ultraviolet, green and infrared spectral filters were combined to create this color view. North on Tethys (660 miles or 1,062 km across) is up in this view. Image via NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

Here is one of the planet Saturn’s 62 moons, Tethys, seen by the Cassini spacecraft, which has been in orbit around Saturn since 2004 and which has provided a wealth of dazzling images.

This is a color image, and, NASA says:

In this image, with the range of colors visible to Cassini’s cameras, differences in materials and their textures become apparent that are subtle or unseen in natural color views.

Here, the giant impact basin Odysseus on this moon stands out brightly from the rest of the illuminated icy crescent. This distinct coloration may result from differences in either the composition or structure of the terrain exposed by the giant impact.

In this image, you can also see Tethys’ dark side (at right), faintly illuminated by sunlight reflected from Saturn.

Read more about this image at NASA.gov

Posted 
July 28, 2015
 in 
Today's Image

Deborah Byrd

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About the Author:
Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.

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