![]() ![]() ![]() These include the thin G ring and the diffuse E ring. Deeper exposure will help the team probe some of Saturn’s more faint rings that aren’t visible in this image. Saturn’s ring system is shown in clear detail along with several of the planet’s over 140 known moons-Dione, Enceladus, and Tethys. Image Processing- Joseph DePasquale (STScI). Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI). The initial imagery from JWST’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) is already fascinating researchers. CREDITS: Image- NASA, ESA, CSA, Matthew Tiscareno (SETI Institute), Matthew Hedman (University of Idaho), Maryame El Moutamid (Cornell University), Mark Showalter (SETI Institute), Leigh Fletcher (University of Leicester), Heidi Hammel (AURA). On June 25, 2023, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope turned to famed ringed world Saturn for its first near-infrared observations of the planet. Newly discovered Saturnian moons could help scientists paint a more complete picture of the planet’s current system and its past history. Several very deep exposures of the sixth planet from the sun, which were designed to test JWST’s capacity to detect faint moons around Saturn and its bright rings. This new image was taken as part of Webb Guaranteed Time Observation program 1247. Its famed icy rings are still relatively bright, making Saturn look a bit more unusual. The methane gas in the planet absorbs almost all of the sunlight that is falling on the atmosphere. The planet itself appears very dark at this infrared wavelength observed by the telescope. On June 25, JWST used its hard working Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) to capture stellar images of Saturn using near-infrared observations for the first time. Now the JWST has its sights set on the ringed planet Saturn. “Spectroscopy from Webb could help confirm these possibilities.It’s been almost one year since NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) released its first finds to the public. “A faint brightening at the edge of Saturn’s disk might be attributed to high-altitude methane fluorescence or emission from the ionosphere’s trihydrogen ion (H 3 +).” ![]() “However, the northern pole appears unusually dark, potentially due to an unknown seasonal process affecting polar aerosols.” “It’s currently summertime in Saturn’s northern hemisphere, while the southern hemisphere emerges from winter darkness.” “Comparing the northern and southern poles of Saturn in this image, we can observe typical seasonal changes,” the scientists said. This plume contains particles and copious amounts of water vapor, contributing to Saturn’s E ring. Using Webb, astronomers recently explored Enceladus and discovered a substantial plume emanating from the moon’s southern pole. Saturn’s rings consist of an assortment of rocky and icy fragments, ranging in size from smaller than a grain of sand to as large as mountains on Earth. “In-depth exposures not shown in this image will allow us to investigate Saturn’s fainter rings, including the thin G ring and diffuse E ring, which are not visible here.” “The rings cast a shadow on the planet and vice versa, creating intriguing visual effects.” ![]() “Additionally, off the outer edge of the A ring, we can see the narrow strand known as the F ring.” “Moving from the inner to the outer features of Saturn’s rings, we can observe the dark C ring, the bright B ring, the narrow and dark Cassini Division, and the medium-bright A ring with the dark Encke Gap near its outer edge,” the researchers said. The image is part of a suite of deeply exposed images where astronomers hope to identify new ring structures and perhaps even new moons of Saturn. The new Webb image is just a taste of what this observatory will uncover about Saturn in the coming years as scientists. Over the past few decades, missions like NASA’s Pioneer 11, Voyagers 1 and 2, Cassini spacecraft and the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have observed Saturn’s atmosphere and rings. “We look forward to digging into the deep exposures to see what discoveries may await.” Matthew Tiscareno, a researcher at the SETI Institute. “We are very pleased to see Webb produce this beautiful image, which is confirmation that our deeper scientific data also turned out well,” said Dr. The image also reveals intricate details within the ring system, showcasing several of the planet’s moons like Dione, Enceladus, and Tethys. However, the icy rings stay relatively bright, leading to the unusual appearance of Saturn. Saturn itself appears extremely dark at this picture’s specific infrared wavelength (3.23 microns), as methane gas absorbs almost all of the sunlight falling on the atmosphere. Image credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / M. This image from Webb’s NIRCam instrument shows Saturn, its rings and some of its moons. ![]()
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