Saturn is showing new majestic views to the world in a stunning photograph taken by the Cassini spacecraft. The new image shows the mysterious hexagon that dominates the northern pole of the ringed planet.
Cassini, launched in 1997, arrived at the ringed planet in 2004. The craft was 1.6 million miles away from the gas giant when the photograph was taken. The image was created looking at near-infrared light, which is almost invisible to human eyes. These wavelengths were able to reveal dramatic detail in the atmosphere of Saturn. In addition, by using wavelengths of light invisible to the human eye, astronomers can determine facts about the position, makeup and movement of the atmosphere.
The hexagon was first imaged in 1981, by Voyager 2, as it zipped past the giant planet. The strange feature was still there when Cassini arrived in 2006. The latest photo was taken on November 23rd, as summer set in across the northern hemisphere of the giant world.
Within the hexagon lies a powerful whirlpool, looking and acting like a gigantic tornado on Earth. This phenomenon is 1,250 miles across, roughly the distance from Miami to Pittsburgh. Most astronomers agree both of the features are likely long-lasting jet streams. The south pole has a similar whirlpool, but lacks a hexagon.
"We did a double take when we saw this vortex because it looks so much like a hurricane on Earth. But there it is at Saturn, on a much larger scale, and it is somehow getting by on the small amounts of water vapor in Saturn's hydrogen atmosphere," Andrew Ingersoll, a member of the Cassini imaging team, said.
Since there are no masses of land to slow their travel and create friction, the storm systems last for decades. Some researchers believe the storms at Saturn's poles may have first formed centuries ago. The winds within the structures blow at tremendous speeds - up to four times faster than the worst hurricane-force winds on Earth. The winds within the vortex are measured at close to 200 MPH, and the eye of the storm is 50 times as wide as a typical storm here on Earth. Some astronomers believe the storms may cause clouds to rain diamonds.
The best views of the hexagon may still be coming. "As we approach Saturn's summer solstice in 2017, lighting conditions over its north pole will improve, and we are excited to track the changes that occur both inside and outside the hexagon boundary," Scott Edgington, Cassini deputy project scientist said.
For those people waiting for new discoveries of Saturn's strange hexagon, summer is only three years away.
