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Raw image Earth and moon from Saturn

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July 21, 2013

An early raw image of the Earth and moon, as seen from Saturn by Cassini spacecraft on July 19, 2013. Earth is the brighter dot; moon to lower left. Via NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI.

NASA began posting the raw images of Earth as seen by the Cassini spacecraft at Saturn yesterday (July 20), and we’re also beginning to see color composite images (look below). Cassini captured these cool photos of the Earth and moon on July 19, 2013, aka the day Earth smiled.

More about the raw Earth-moon image from Cassini, here.

These are are only the third-ever images of Earth from the outer solar system. Voyager 1 got the first Earth image from distant space, in 1990. Cassini got the second, during an eclipse of the sun by Saturn in 2006. See the first two images of Earth from distant space, about midway down in this post.

Color composite of Earth and moon as seen from Saturn by Cassini spacecraft on July 19, 2013. Via NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI.

The Earth-moon photo, shown above, is a color-composite made from raw images in red, green, and blue visible light. Some of the specks around the edges are background stars, and others are the result of high-energy particle noise.

We’ll post more of the Earth images from Saturn as we see them, so stay tuned!

Earth seen near Saturn's rings and Saturn nightside on July 1, 2013. Earth is the dot below the backlit rings. Image via NASA / JPL / ESA. Cassini spacecraft. — Earth seen near Saturn’s rings and Saturn nightside on July 1, 2013. Earth is the dot below the backlit rings. Image via NASA / JPL / ESA. Cassini spacecraft.

The day Earth smiled, a global moment of cosmic self-awareness

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Deborah Byrd

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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.