New Cassini image shows structure of Saturn's rings in unrivalled detail – See pic!

Saturn's rings- Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

New Delhi: NASA has released a new image captured by the Cassini spacecraft that showcases some of the amazingly detailed structure of Saturn's rings.

This view looks toward the sunlit side of the rings from about 4 degrees above the ring plane.

The image was taken in visible light with the Cassini spacecraft wide-angle camera on September 24, 2016.

“The rings are made up of many smaller ringlets that blur together when seen from a distance. But when imaged up close, the rings' structures display quite a bit of variation,” NASA said.

Ring scientists are debating the nature of these features - whether they have always appeared this way or if their appearance has evolved over time, NASA added.

The view that looks toward the sunlit side of the rings from 4 degrees above the ring plane was acquired at a distance of approximately 283,000 miles from Saturn.