Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

This infrared image of Saturn’s rings was taken with the Cassini spacecraft wide-angle camera on August 18, 2013, using a special filter that only admits light polarized in one direction. Scientists can use these images to learn more about the nature of the particles that make up Saturn’s rings.

The view was acquired at a distance of approximately 712,000 miles (1.1 million kilometers) from Saturn. Image scale is 43 miles (68 kilometers) per pixel.

More information about NASA’s Cassini mission.

Read more from NASA about this image

Eleanor Imster

Eleanor Imster has helped write and edit EarthSky since 1995. She was an integral part of the award-winning EarthSky radio series almost since it began until it ended in 2013. Today, as an EarthSky.org Editor, she helps present the science and nature stories and photos you enjoy. She and her husband live in Tennessee, where they enjoy guitar playing and singing. They have 2 grown sons.