Cassini Nears Four-year Mark

Cassini Nears Four-year Mark

NASA's Cassini Spacecraft is now reaching the end of its four-year prime mission (on June 30th), and about to enter into its extended mission. What a nice excuse for a retrospective of some of the great images sent back home by Cassini over the past four years. (12 photos total)

The Sun is on the opposite side, so all of Saturn is backlit. Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech

Swirls in Saturn's cloud-tops. Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech

The surface of Saturn's moon Dione, up close. Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech

Tiny moon Janus, seen before Saturn's rings, with massive moon Titan beyond. Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech

Saturn's moon Rhea, with Izanagi Crater at center. Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech

Saturn's horizon seen through its thin rings. Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech

Small moon Mimas, seen against Saturn's horizon. Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech

A "knot", or small disturbance in one of Saturn's outer rings. Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech

Closeup of small, cratered moon Hyperion. Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech

Saturn's moon Enceladus, seen just in front of Saturn. Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech

Saturn's polar region. Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech

Mimas closeup, with rings in background. Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech